Name Game: National League

So Matt, the Diamond Jester, renamed the MLB teams and challenged readers to think of our own new names. 

Philadelphia Independents:  Declaration of Independence reference.  

Runner-Up:  Brothers -  City of Brotherly Love reference. 

Verdict:  Low bar to clear, but I prefer this over Phillies, which isn't even a word. 

New York Naturals:  A sports term.  Also a reference to naturalized citizens, as Queens is heavily populated by immigrants.  Also a reference to The Natural, which was about a New York baseball team and was written by a New Yorker.   

Runners-Up:  Bats and herons - Both animals of New York.  The former is also an item used in baseball.  

Verdict:  Another low bar which I think I cleared.  

Atlanta Kings:  Martin Luther King Jr. and King George II, for whom Georgia is named. 

Runner-Up:  Peaches

Verdict:  I remain undefeated.  Yeah, baby!  

Washington Owls:  A local animal.

Runner-Up:  Republicrats

Verdict:  Another easy win.  MLB sure has a lot of lame team names.  

Miami Breakers:  Waves and spring breakers.  

Verdict:  I suffer my first L.  Props to the Marlins.   

Chicago Cranes:  A local bird and a construction tool used to erect the city's skyline.

Runner-Up:  Cooks, after Cook County.

Verdict:  Another win for me.

Milwaukee Robins:  A local bird and the first name of one of the best Brewers of all-time. 

Verdict:  Beer wins.

Cincinnati Foxes:  A local animal.

Runners-Up:  Miracles -  Reference to the Jefferson Starship song written by and sung by Cincy native Marty Balin.  Salamanders -  A local animal. 

Verdict:  I take the win, but it's an ugly one.

St. Louis Pioneers

Verdict:  I give myself the win, but Cardinals might be preferred by some readers.

Pittsburgh River Rats:  A reference to the city's location at the convergence of three rivers.

Runner-Up:  Earls, after William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham.

Verdict:  Another one where I give myself the win, but others might disagree.  

San Francisco Fog:  If you know SF, you know.  

Verdict:  Win for me.

Colorado Cougars:  A local animal.

Runners-Up:  Mountaineers and various local animals. 

Verdict:  I take the win over the inanimate object. 

Los Angeles Surfers:  It's not the state sport of California because it's popular in Sacramento.

Verdict:  I take the win, as Dodgers is an antiquated NYC name.  

San Diego Amigos:  A reference to the city's neighborly relationship with Tijuana and the city's easy-going vibe.  

Verdict:  A tough loss.  Padres is a good one.  

 

Arizona Ocelots:  A local animal.

Runner-Up:  Scorchers

Verdict:  Another tough L. 

Record:  11 - 4

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