Genesis of the project

I have wanted to do this for a long time, having found nothing of the sort extant online. The nearest thing we have was compiled by the now-deceased Tony Salin, author of Baseball’s Forgotten Heroes. This was a series of stories on ballplayers now mostly forgotten, but who were important in their times and had great stories to tell. Salin seems to have been a very persuasive and persistent figure, considering that he even wangled an interview with the reclusive Pete Gray (who played major league baseball with one arm). If you love the old school version of baseball, Salin’s is one of the better books.

As an afterword, Salin included a lengthy name pronunciation guide. It surely helped that he spoke to the old players in person; their pronunciations would be definitive or very nearly so. Salin is my beginning source for many pronunciations, though not the sole source. His work and research are the property of The Baseball Reliquary, Inc., which gave me kind permission to use and expand upon his material. I have since joined TBR, but nonetheless copyright of all Salin’s work that may appear here is reserved to TBR. If you wish to support their very worthwhile baseball historical preservation work and research, find membership information here.

Special thanks, therefore, first of all to Tony Salin for breaking the ground, and to Mr. Terry Cannon of TBR for his enthusiastic and rapid response to my inquiry for permission. Additional thanks to Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame, who found a number of answers for me, and had good ideas where I might locate the rest. For some of the more difficult ones, you can do as I do and thank Mr. Albert Kilchesty of TBR, who graciously volunteered his knowledge and extensive contacts, and spent a fair bit of time on behalf of this project digging through old Sporting News Registers–then invited me over to dig through some more, and plied me with great coffee while I did so. Larry Kitner, a faithful reader, has dug up plenty of pronunciations. Some of the most obscure are courtesy of John-William Greenbaum, whose bundle was a welcome bolt from the blue. Now and then I get an email from a fellow we’ll call MJY, always welcome.

If you decide to bookmark this page, your best method is to bookmark the main page, http//jkkelley.org and navigate from there. You see, I have to alter the URL of this page regularly to slow down the comment spam. However, the main page link is always correct.

One last thing: if you searched for a pronunciation, and didn’t find it here, please check back. I get notification of search strings that found this page. So if I see that someone searched on ‘joe schlabotnik pronunciation,’ and I haven’t found it yet, I’ll go digging. And odds are I’ll find it.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology A

• Aase, Don: AH-see
• Agee, Tommie: uh-JEE (per BR; a later version insists it’s AY-jee as in rhyming with “lady.” A TV broadcast from his 1969 Series exploits concurs with the latter. I wish they would make up their minds.)
• Aguayo, Luis: ah-GWAH-yo
• Aguirre, Hank: ah-GEAR-ee (Spanish would be more like ah-GEAR-eh; BR has it as ah-GWYRE-ee, and that may have been used)
• Aker, Jack: EH-ker (rhymes with ‘Baker’)
• Albies, Ozzie: OWL-beez (thanks, MJY)
• Albury, Vic: ALL-berry (per BR)
• Allard, Brian: OWL-ard
• Almeida, Rafael: all-MAY-da (Portuguese name, but he was Cuban; he probably said all-may-EE-da)
• Almora, Oscar: owl-MORE-uh (thanks, MJY)
• Alomar, Sandy, Sandy Jr. and Roberto: OWL-o-mar (Spanish: all-o-MAHR)
• Altizer, Dave: ALL-ty-zur
  
• Alusik, George: ah-LOO-sik (BR)
• Alvarez, Yadier: yah-dee-AIR (thanks, MJY)
• Alyea, Brant: ALL-yay
• Amalfitano, Joe: uh-MALL-fee-TAWN-oh (how it typically came out)
• Amaro, Ruben: ah-MAR-oh
• Amelung, Ed: AMM-uh-lung
• Amoros, Sandy: AMM-or-ohs (soft S is important; like ‘ammo gross’)
• Andújar, Joaquin: wa-KEEN AN-du-har (correct Spanish: an-DU-har)
• Angelini, Norm: ann-je-LEE-nee
• Aparicio, Luis: loo-EESS ah-pa-REE-see-oh (BR has it as ah-par-EACH-ee-oh, which may have been current early in his career, but Sr. Aparicio is not Italian)
• Apodaca, Bob: APP-oh-DACK-uh (per BR)
• Arcia, José: ho-ZAY AR-see-ah
• Arcia, Oswaldo: o-WAL-doh AR-see-ah (as interviewed in his native Spanish; he will probably endure oz-WALL-doh ar-SEE-ah from American commentators)
• Arlett, Buzz: ar-LET
• Arlin, Steve: rhymes with ‘Carlin’ as in comedian George
  
• Arrigo, Gerry: ah-REE-go (per BR)
• Arroyo, Luis: loo-EESSE uh-ROY-o
• Aspromonte, Bob and Ken: azz-pro-MON-tay
• Auerbach, Rick: AR-bock (when said quickly; OW-ur-bock when sounded out; thanks, Larry and Michael)
  
• Auker, Elden: OCK-er (YT of trailer promoting his book, which by the way is a great read)
• Averill, Earl Sr. and Jr.: EH-ver-ull (rhymes with ‘flavorful’)
• Ávila, Bobby: ah-VEE-la (correct Spanish: AH-vee-lah)
• Ayala, Benny: eye-ALL-ah
• Azcue, Joe: AHZ-kyu (like ‘has to’ or ‘haz to’)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top B

• Bacque, Gene: BAH-kay
• Bacsik, Mike: BASS-ik
• Baczewski, Fred: BAH-jess-key
• Bahnsen, Stan: BONN-sen
• Balaz, John: BAL-ash (rhymes with ‘foul ash’)
• Baldschun, Jack: BALL-shun
• Ballinger, Mark: BOW-lin-jur (first syllable rhymes with ‘how’)
• Ballou, Win: buh-LOO
• Banda, Anthony: BAHN-da (thanks, MJY)
• Barbare, Walter: BAW-bar
  
• Barbieri, Jim: bar-BEER-ee (thanks, John-William)
• Barnabe, Charlie: ???
• Barojas, Salome: sah-LOAM bah-RO-hoss (in his native Spanish, sah-LO-may)
• Barranca, German: ba-RONK-ah
• Barrios, José: BAR-ee-ohss
• Bartirome, Tony: BAR-tih-roam (thanks, M.J.Y.)
• Bathe, Bill or Bob: BAYTH
• Bauman, Joe: BAU-man
• Baumann, Frank: BOW-man
• Bauta, Ed: bah-OO-tuh (per BR; credible)
• Beattie, Jim: BEE-tee
• Bearnarth, Larry: burr-NARTH (like ‘Bernard’; thanks to Andrew)
• Beauchamp, Jim: BEE-chum
• Bedell, Howie: buh-DELL
• Bedrosian, Steve: bed-ROZE-ee-un
• Beede, Tyler: BEE-dee (thanks, MJY)
• Bejma, Ollie: BAY-ma
• Belanger, Mark: bel-LANN-zher (from credible anecdote of asking the player)
• Benge, Ray: BENJ
• Bengough, Benny: ben-GO
• Beníquez, Juan: beh-NEE-kez
• Berberet, Lou: ???
• Berenguer, Juan: BAIR-en-gair
• Berenyi, Bruce: ber-ENN-ee
• Bernal, Victor: bur-NAL
• Bernazard, Tony: BUR-nah-zard (rhymes with ‘unitard’; thanks for tipping me to it, Larry)
• Bernier, Carlos: bur-NEAR
• Bertaina, Frank: ???
• Bertoia, Reno: bur-TOY-ah (thanks, Alex)
• Bessent, Don: buh-SENT
• Betances, Dellin: ???
• Bethea, Bill: bah-THAY (soft TH; per BR)
• Bevacqua, Kurt: be-VAH-kwa
• Biancalana, Buddy: bee-AHN-ka-la-na
• Biercevicz, Greg: bur-SEVV-itch
• Bilardello, Dann: ???
• Biittner, Larry: BIT-nur
• Bjorkman, George: buh-JORK-man
• Blackwell, Ewell: YOOL BLACK-wul
• Bladergroen, Ian: BLAY-der-groh-uhn (thanks, MJY)
• Blandino, Alex: blan-DEE-no (thanks, MJY)
• Blasingame, Don and Wade: BLASS-in-game (rhymes with ‘sass in fame’)
• Blateric, Steve: BLATT-er-ik
• Blefary, Curt: BLEF-ah-ree
• Blomberg, Ron: BLOOM-berg
• Bleuge, Ossie or Otto: BLUE-jee
• Blue, Vida: VY-da (rhymes with ‘Ida’)
• Blyleven, Bert: BLYE-lev-en
• Blyzka, Mike: BLIZZ-kuh
• Boccabella, John: BOCK-ah-bell-uh (per BR; might be off)
• Bochte, Bruce: BOCK-tee
• Bochy, Bruce: BOE-chee
• Boddicker, Mike: BODD-ick-ur
• Boeckel, Tony: ???
• Boehling, Joe: ???
• Boehmer, Len: BAY-mer
• Boever, Joe: BAY-ver
• Boggess, Dusty: BAW-jess (from 1957 broadcast)
• Bohne, Sammy: BONE
• Bohnet, John: bo-NETT
• Boisclair, Bruce: BO-clair (rather than French BWA-CLAIR)
• Boitano, Danny: boy-TAHN-oh
• Boken, Bob: ???
• Bolin, Bob: like ‘bowling’ without the G
• Bolling, Frank: like ‘bowling’ with the G
• Bonham, Tiny: BONN-um (from period broadcast)
• Bonura, Zeke: ???
• Bordagaray, Frenchy: bor-duh-gah-RAY
• Boros, Steve: BOAR-ihs
• Bosley, Thad: BAHZ-lee
• Boswell, Ken and Dave: BOZZ-well
• Botelho, Derek: bo-TELL-oh
• Bouchee, Ed: boo-SHAY
• Boudreau, Lou: BOO-dro (verified by second party hearing him introduce himself as announcer)
• Bour, Justin: BOR (thanks, MJY)
• Bourque, Pat: BURK
• Bouton, Jim: BAUT-un (rhymes with ‘how fun’; the T is very faint)
• Brabender, Gene: BRABB-en-dur
• Brasier, Ryan: rhymes with ‘Frazier’ (thanks, MJY)
• Brazle, Al: BRAZZ-lee (from period broadcast; at least that’s how I think I heard it)
• Breazeale, Jim: bruh-ZILL
• Brecheen, Harry: bruh-KEEN (verified by living relative)
• Bressoud, Eddie: bruh-SUE
• Brickell, Fritz: bri-KELL (verified by hometown family friend)
• Brideweser, Jim: BRYDE-wee-zur
• Broaca, Johnny: bro-AH-kah (thanks, Alex; a 1934 radio broadcast renders it BRO-kah, and Phil Rizzuto pronounced it BROCK-ah (thanks, Mac), thus, jury still out)
• Broberg, Pete: BRO-burg (thanks, Andy)
• Broglio, Ernie: BRO-lee-oh
• Brohamer, Jack: BRO-ham-ur
• Brouhard, Mark: BRO-hard
• Brouthers, Dan: BROO-thurz (soft TH, I believe; unfortunately English phonics do not provide a good way to make clear whether it is the soft or hard TH)
• Browne, Pidge: BROWN-ee
• Brunet, George: brue-NET or brue-NAY
• Brusstar, Warren: BROO-stur
• Buchek, Jerry: BOO-check (per BR)
• Buhl, Bob: rhymes with ‘jewel’ (per BR)
• Burda, Bob: BURR-dah
• Burkett, Jesse: BUR-ket
• Bush, Donie: DOE-nee
• Busse, Ray: BYU-see (thanks, Larry)
• Buzhardt, John: BUZZ-hart (per PR)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top C

• Cabell, Enos: EE-nus kuh-BELL
• Calise, Mike: kuh-LEEZ (at least, that’s what the 1983 BR implies)
• Cardenal, José: kar-duh-NAHL
• Cárdenas, Leo: KAR-duh-ness (Spanish would be KAR-day-nahs)
• Cadore, Leon: ka-DORE
• Campisi, Sal: kam-PEE-zee
• Cannizzaro, Chris: CAN-i-ZAER-oh (rhymes ‘hand in barrow’; from near relative)
• Carreon, Cam and Mark: kar-rree-OWN (with rolled R per normal Spanish pronunciation; not every palate can manage this. BR has it as ‘CAR-ee-on; my source is an immediate family member, so mine wins, end of story.)
• Carrithers, Don: ka-RITH-ers (hard TH as in ‘that’; rhymes with ‘the dithers’)
• Carty, Rico: KAR-dee (per BR)
• Castillo, Manny: kahs-TEE-yo
• Castillo, Rusney: ROOZ-nay kahs-TEE-yo (thanks, MJY)
• Cavaretta, Phil: ka-va-RETT-ah
• Caveney, Ike: KAV-en-ee
• Cease, Dylan: as ‘cease’ (thanks, MJY)
• Ceccarelli, Art: chick-a-RELL-ee
• Cecchini, Garin: cheh-KEE-nee (thanks, MJY)
• Cedeño, César: SAY-zar seh-DANE-yo
• Cepeda, Orlando: or-LON-doh seh-PAY-da
• Cerone, Rick: sa-RONE
• Cerv, Bob: SERVE
• Cey, Ron: SAY
• Chakales, Bob: SHACK-ulls
• Chambliss, Chris: CHAMM-bliss
• Charboneau, Joe: SHAR-ben-oh
• Chargois, J.T.: SHA-GWAH (thanks, MJY)
• Chiozza, Lou: ???
• Chiti, Harry: CHEE-tee
• Chlupsa, Bob: ???
• Chouinard, Felix: shwee-NARD (the actual French is close to that)
• Cheney, Larry: ??? (probably like Tom below, but not verified)
• Cheney, Tom: CHAIN-ee
• Cicotte, Al: SEE-cot (at some point evidently was also sigh-COT-ee; younger kin of Eddie)
• Cicotte, Eddie: most agree on SEE-cot (name is of French origin, not Italian; in French, SEE COAT), but no less a personage than Red Faber said it SY-COT.
• Cimoli, Gino: sim-O-lee or chim-O-lee (correct Italian is CHEE-mo-lee)
• Cingrani, Tony: sin-GRAH-nee (thanks, MJY)
• Cisco, Galen: SISS-ko
• Civale, Aaron: suh-VAH-lay (thanks, MJY)
• Claudio, Alex: KLAW-dee-oh (thanks, MJY)
• Clendenon, Donn: clen-DEN-un
• Cloninger, Tony: KLONN-ing-er (per BR)
• Closter, Al: ???
• Codiroli, Chris: ???
• Colavito, Rocky: CO-la-VEE-toh
• Coluccio, Bob: ko-LOOCH-ee-oh (per BR)
• Combs, Earle: KOOMBZ
• Concepción, Dave & Onix: cone-sep-see-OHN
• Conigliaro, Billy & Tony: ko-nig-lee-OUR-oh
• Coombs, Jack: KOOMZ
• Corrales, Pat: kor-ALL-ez (per BR)
• Coscarart, Pete: KOSS-kar-art
• Cottier, Chuck: COT-ee-er (BR has it as cot-TEE-er; I don’t buy it)
• Cottrell, Ensign: ???
• Coveleski, Harry and Stan: ko-va-LESS-kee
• Cravath, Gavvy: kra-VATH (rhymes with ‘the bath’; second party family contact verified)
• Criger, Lou: CRIGG-ur
• Critz, Hughie: KRYTZE (rhymes with ‘rights’)
• Cromartie, Warren: kro-MAR-dee (unless you are sounding out every letter, then -tee)
• Cronin, Joe: KROH-nin (like ‘toe pin’)
• Cuellar, Bobby or Mike: KWAY-arr (only in Castilian Spanish do you hear an LY; both men are Latin American)
• Cuyler, Kiki: KAI-kai KAI-lur (rhymes with ‘thigh high styler’)
• Cvengros, Mike: SVEN-grohss (like ‘Sven grows’ but ending in a soft S)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top D

• D’Acquisto, John: DEE-ah-KWISS-toe (verified by subject on a Youtube; in Italian, I believe, DACK-weess-toe)
• Dalrymple, Clay: dal-RIM-pull (per BR, which may or may not be right; I don’t really buy it)
  
• DaVanon, Jeff and Jerry: da-VANN-en
• Daubert, Jake: DOW-burt (rhymes with ‘cow hurt’)
  
• Dauss, Hooks: DOSS (rhymes with ‘floss’)
• Davalillo, Vic: davv-uh-LEE-oh (per BR)
• Deas, Pete: DEE-is (non-MLB; one of Salin’s sources, thus included out of respect and thanks)
• DeBusschere, Dave: day-BUSH-er
• DeCinces, Doug: duh-SIN-say
• Dedeaux, Rod: DEE-doe
• deGrom, Jacob: duh-GROMM (thanks, MJY)
• DeJesús, Iván: day-HAY-soose
• de la Hoz, Mike: dell-ah-HOZZ
• Delancey, Bill: deh-LANN-see
• Delock, Ike: DAY-lock (per BR; I think probably right)
• de los Santos, Ramón: day-lo-SAHN-toess
• Demaree, Frank: DEM-uh-ree (from period broadcast)
• Demeter, Don or Steve: DEM-it-ur
• DeMola, Don: duh-MOLE-ah
• Dernier, Bob: dur-NEER
• Derringer, Paul: just like the famous pistol
• De Sa, Joe: day-sah (equal stress)
• Desautels, Gene: deh-ZUH-tell
• Desjarlais, Keith: DAY-jar-lay
• Detore, George: DEE-tore
• Dettore, Tom: deh-TOR (per former teammate Carmen Fanzone)
• Devers, Rafael: DAY-vers (thanks, MJY)
• Devore, Josh: deh-VORE
• Díaz, Bo: DEE-ahz
• Díaz, Isan: EE-sahn
• Didier, Bob: DEE-dee-eh
• Dierker, Larry: DUR-kur (per BR)
• Dietz, Dick: DEETZ
• Dihigo, Martín: mar-TEEN duh-HEE-go (Spanish: dee-EE-gho)
• DiLauro, Jack: deh-LAWR-oh
• Diloné, Miguel: dee-loh-NAY
• Doerr, Bobby: DORE
• Doran, Bill: doh-RAN
• Douthit, Taylor: DAU-thit (rhymes with ‘cow spit’)
• Drabowsky, Moe: dra-BAU-skee (middle syllable rhymes with ‘cow’)
• Drago, Dick: DRAY-go (thanks, Alex)
• Dreisewerd, Clem: DRIZE-werd
• Dreyfus, Barney: DRY-fuss (from old footage of no less than Honus Wagner)
• Dropo, Walt: DRO-po
• Drucke, Louis: ???
• Dubuc, Jean: duh-BUKE (French: DU BEUK with a really tight U sound and understated C)
• Duliba, Bob: du-LEE-bah (thanks to Andrew)
• Durocher, Leo: du-RO-shur
• Dybzinski, Jerry: dib-ZIN-skee
• Dyck, Jim: DIKE (some owners of the name rhyme it with ‘rick’; I can see why some do not)
• Dygert, Jimmy: ???

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top E

• Eaddy, Don: ED-ee
• Eayrs, Eddie: ???
• Edelen, Joe: EE-duh-lun
• Ehmke, Howard: EM-kee (per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Eichelberger, Juan: EYE-kel-bur-gur
• Eilers, Dave: EYE-lerz (per BR)
• Eisenreich, Jim: EYES-en-ryke
• Elias, Roenis: ro-ENN-iss ee-LEE-ess (thanks, MJY)
• Epstein, Mike: EP-steen (Originally had this as ‘EP-stein.’ Duh. “Big help, ‘Lancer, I could never have guessed!”)
• Ernaga, Frank: ur-NEH-ga (like ‘bodega,’ from 1957 radio broadcast)
• Erskine, Carl: UR-skin (like ‘curse kin’)
• Esasky, Nick: ee-SAH-skee (second syllable voweled like ‘pat’)
• Essegian, Chuck: uh-SEE-jee-un
• Essian, Jim: ESS-ee-en
• Estelle, Dick: ess-TELL (per BR)
• Estrada, Thairo: TYE-roh (thanks, MJY)
• Etchebarren, Andy: ETCH-a-barren (per BR)
• Evers, Hoot, Joe and Johnny: EE-verz (However, Johnny said later in life that it was actually EV-erz (rhyming with ‘nevers’), but that everyone in his hometown pronounced it with a long E. My information is that baseball used the long E as well.)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top F

• Faedo, Lenny: fah-EH-doh
• Fairey, Jim: FARE-ee (thanks, Andy)
• Falcone, Pete: fowl-CONE
• Fanzone, Carmen: just like ‘fan zone’
• Faria, Jacob: fa-FEE-uh
• Fazio, Ernie: FASS-ee-oh (per BR)
• Ferrara, Al: fur-AIR-uh (per BR)
• Ferrarese, Don: ferr-ARE-see
• Ferris, Hobe: HO-bee (thanks, Rob; per book The Millers and the Saints)
• Fidrych, Mark: FID-rich
• Fillingim, Dana: ???
• Fiore, Mike: FEE-or-ee (thanks, Larry)
  
• Fireovid, Steve: FIRE-oh-vid
• Flodin, Lloyd: flo-DEEN (thanks, John-William)
• Floethe, Chris: FLOW-thee (soft TH; per BR)
• Foiles, Hank: FOY-els (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Fondy, Dee: FONN-dee
• Fornieles, Mike: for-NEE-lis (Spanish: for-ni-EH-lays)
• Forsythe, Logan: sounds like ‘foresight’ with soft ‘th’ as last consonant, thus like ‘for scythe’ (thanks, MJY)
• Fosse, Ray: FOSS-ee
• Foucault, Steve: foo-COE (thanks, Alex)
• Fournier, Jack: for-NEAR
• Fowlkes, Alan: FOLKS
• Frazee, Harry: FRAY-zee
• Freed, Roger: rhymes with ‘need’
• Freehan, Bill: FREE-an
• Freese, Gene: FREEZ
• Fregosi, Jim: free-GO-see (per BR)
• Freisleben, Dave: FREEZ-leb-en
• Freitas, Tony: FRAY-tiss
• Frey, Benny: FRY
• Frias, Pepe: FREE-us (probably from having to play in Parc Jarry)
• Frisella, Danny: frih-SELL-uh
• Frontino, Frank: frun-TEE-no (per BR)
• Fuchs, Emil: EH-mill FYOOKS
• Fulgham, John: FULL-jum
• Furillo, Carl: fuh-RILL-oh
• Futch, Ike: rhymes with ‘much.’ Thanks, John-William.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top G

• Gaedel, Eddie: guh-DELL
• Gaetti, Gary: gy-ETT-ee
• Gagliano, Phil: gag-LEE-ah-no (I distrust the accent positioning)
• Gagne, Greg: GAG-nee (thanks, Glen)
• Galan, Augie: guh-LANN
• Garcia, Yeudy: YOO-dee (thanks, MJY)
• Garrelts, Scott: guh-RELTZ
• Garrido, Gil: guh-REE-doh (per BR)
  
• Gaudet, Jim: ???
• Gebhard, Bob: ???
• Gedeon, Joe: GID-ee-un
• Gehringer, Chuck: GEH-ring-er (both Gs are hard; the first R definitely belongs to the second syllable; thanks, Glen)
  
• Genewich, Joe: ???
• Gentile, Jim: jen-TEEL
• Gerónimo, César: SAY-zar juh-RON-ih-mo (most commonly; pretty sure he would pronounce the last name ‘heh-ROH-nee-moh)
• Gharrity, Patsy: rhymes with ‘ferrety’
• Giebell, Floyd: GEE-bil
• Giel, Paul: GEEL
• Gilje, Ted: GILL-je (per BR)
• Gilliam, Jim: GILL-ee-yum
• Gionfriddo, Al: john-FREE-doh
• Giusti, Dave: JUST-ee
• Gochnaur, John: ???
• Goetz, Larry and Russ: GETZ
• Gogolewski, Bill: GO-go-LISS-kee
• González, Adrián: as English ‘Adrian’ (thanks, MJY)
• Goryl, John: GOR-ul
• Gosger, Jim: GOZZ-ger (hard Gs; thanks, John-William)
  
• Goslin, Goose: GOZZ-lin
• Gotay, Julio: GO-tie (thanks, John-William)
  
• Grabarkewitz, Billy: gruh-BAR-keh-witz (per BR)
• Grabiner, Harry: ??? (probably GRABB-uh-ner; others with the name pronounce it that way)
• Grammas, Alex: GRAMM-us
• Grba, Eli: GERB-ah
• Greif, Bill: GRIFE (rhymes with ‘strife’)
• Grich, Bobby: (rhymes with ‘itch’)
• Grichuk, Randal: GRITCH-ik (thanks, MJY)
• Grote, Jerry: GROW-tee
• Groth, Johnny: GROWTH
• Grzenda, Joe: greh-ZEN-duh
• Gsellman, Robert: guh-SELL-mun (thanks, MJY)
• Guerra, Mike: GEHR-ah
• Guerrieri, Taylor: gur-AIR-ee (thanks, MJY)
• Guidry, Ron: GID-ree
• Guillorme, Luis: gee-YOR-may (thanks, MJY)
• Guindon, Bob: GIN-din (hard G; per BR)
• Guinn, Skip: KWIHN
• Guisto, Louie: GISS-toe
• Gustine, Frankie: GUSS-teen
• Gutiérrez, César: SAY-zar GOO-tee-err-ez (Spanish of the last name would accent the third syllable)
• Guzmán, Jeison: JAY-sun goose-MON (thanks, MJY)
• Gwosdz, Doug: GOOSH

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top H

• Haak, Howie: HAKE
• Haas, Bert, Bruno, Eddie and Mule: HOSS
• Haase, Eric: HOSS (thanks, MJY)
• Hafey, Chick: HAY-fee
• Hambright, Roger: HAM-brite (rhymes with ‘lamb fight;’ thanks, Larry)
  
• Hanebrink, Harry: HAIN-uh-brink
• Hargesheimer, Al: HAR-guh-shy-mer
• Hauser, Joe: HOW-zer
• Hausman, Tom: HOWS-man
• Haydel, Hal: hay-DELL
• Hayes, Ke’Bryan: KEE-bry-un (thanks, MJY)
• Heaverlo, Dave: HAVE-er-lo (Eastern Washington represent! Verified from audio interview on YT.)
• Hebert, Billy: HEE-burt
• Hebert, Wallace: EH-bare (the French way)
• Heidemann, Jack: HIGH-da-man
• Heilmann, Harry: HILE-man (like ‘file can’)
• Heimueller, Gorman: HIGH-mule-er (per Jim Leeke, who covered the 1983 A’s; thanks, Jim)
• Heinbechner, Bruce: HINE-beck-nur (per BR)
• Heise, Bob: HI-see
• Henrich, Tommy: HEN-rick
• Hernáiz, Jesús: hay-SOOSE hur-NICE (per BR; just enough of a butchering of Spanish to be credible)
• Herrnstein, John: HERN-styne (per BR)
• Heving, Joe: ???
• Heydler, John: HIDE-lur (per Mr. Bill Francis, of the BBHOF)
• Hiatt, Jack: HY-utt (per BR)
• Himsl, Vedie: HIM-zul
• Hisle, Larry: HIGH-sull
• Hodapp, Johnny: HOE-dapp
• Hoeft, Billy: HEFT
• Hogriever, George: ???
• Hollocher, Charlie: ???
• Horne, Beryln: HORN
• Hosley, Tim: HOZE-lee
• Hough, Charlie: HUFF
• Houk, Ralph: HOWK (like ‘howl’ but ending in K)
• Hovley, Steve: HOVE-lee (rhymes with ‘cove see’)
  
• Houtteman, Art: HOWT-uh-man (first syllable rhymes with ‘pout’; thanks, MJY)
• Howarth, Jim: HOW-worth (per BR)
• Hrabosky, Al: ruh-BAH-skee
• Hrbek, Kent: HUR-bek
• Hriniak, Walt: RIN-ee-ack
• Hume, Tom: YOOM
• Huyke, Woody: HI-kee

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top I

• Ignasiak, Gary: EEG-nah-shock (per BR; I think they had a few too many in the press room that day)
• Inao, Kazuhisa: IN-ow (as if saying ‘in-out’ without the T)
• Iorg, Dane and Garth: ORJ
• Iskanderian, George: iss-kan-DAIR-ee-an (thanks, MJY)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top J

• Jaeckel, Paul: JAY-kull
• Janvrin, Hal: ???
• Jata, Paul: JAH-ta
• Javier, Julián and Stan: hoo-lee-ON hav-ee-AIR (rhymes with ‘ah, the air’)
• Jenkins, Fergie: FUR-gee (rhymes with ‘bergy’)
• Jenkins, Tyrell: tigh-RELL (thanks, MJY)
• Jestadt, Garry: JESS-tat (like ‘yes hat’)
  
• Jiménez, Eloy: EE-loy hee-MEN-ezz (thanks, MJY)
• Jiménez, Manny: HIM-en-ezz (per BR; correct Spanish would be more like hee-MEH-nezz)
• Johnson, Deron: DERR-un (thanks, Andy)
• Jorgens, Arndt: JOR-genz
• Jourdan, Ted: JORR-den
• Judnich, Walt: JUD-nick
• Junis, Jakob: as ‘Jacob,’ and JOO-nis (thanks, MJY)
• Jurado, Ariel: ah-ree-EL (thanks, MJY)
• Jurak, Ed: YOU-rack
• Jurges, Billy: JUR-gezz
• Jutze, Skip: jut-ZEE (thanks, Buddy)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top K

• Kaat, Jim: KOTT
• Kahler, George: ???
• Kaline, Al: KAY-lyne (rhymes with ‘daytime’)
• Kanehl, Rod: KAH-neel (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Karkovice, Ron: KAR-ko-vyse
• Katt, Ray: KOTT
• Kauff, Benny: rhymes with ‘cough’
• Kealey, Steve: KEE-lee (thanks, Andy)
• Kekich, Mike: KEKK-itch
• Kela, Keone: key-OWN-ee KELL-ah
• Keltner, Ken: KELT-ner
• Kenders, Al: KIN-derz (thanks, John-William)
• Keough, Joe: KEE-oh
• Keppinger, Jeff: KEPP-in-jure (thanks, MJY)
• Kiely, Leo: KY-lee (rhymes with ‘Riley’)
• Kilkenny, Mike: KILL-ken-nee
• Killebrew, Harmon: KILL-uh-broo (the pride of Idaho baseball)
• Kiner, Ralph: KY-ner (rhymes with ‘whiner,’ such an inapposite cue)
• Kiner-Falefa, Isiah: like the Biblical prophet, KY-ner fuh-LEFF-uh (thanks, MJY)
• Kirillof, Alex: KEER-ill-off (thanks, MJY)
• Kirke, Jay: ???
• Kison, Bruce: KEE-son (if I get this wrong after living about four miles from his high school, I’m so toast)
• Klaus, Billy: KLOUSE (rhymes with ‘louse’)
• Klieman, Ed: KLY-man (from old radio broadcast)
• Knabe, Otto: ka-NOBB-eh (per Burns documentary, and Burns tends to be pretty good; thanks, Michael)
  
• Knetzer, Elmer: ???
• Knepper, Bob: NEPP-ur
• Knicely, Alan: ???
• Kniffin, Chuck: NIFF-un (per BR)
• Knoop, Bobby: kuh-NOP (rhymes with ‘the cop’)
• Kobel, Kevin: KO-bull (thanks, Andy)
• Koehler, Tom: rhymes with ‘bowler’ (thanks, MJY)
• Koenecke, Len: KENN-uh-key (90% verified by phone conversation with distant relative; thanks, Kurt!)
• Koenig, Fred and Mark: KAY-nig
• Komminsk, Brad: kuh-MINSK
• Konieczny, Doug: kuh-NEZ-nee
• Konstanty, Jim: kon-STAN-tee
• Konyha, Lou: played as CONE-ya but accepts CON-ya (thanks, John-William)
• Kopacz, George: KOH-pazz (per BR)
• Koppe, Joe: kop-EE (like ‘copy’ if you stressed the second syllable)
• Koshorek, Clem: kuh-SHOR-uk (thanks, MJY)
• Kostro, Frank: kos-TROE (per BR; I have my doubts)
• Koufax, Sandy: KOE-faks
• Kralick, Jack: kray-LICK (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Kranepool, Ed: KRANE-pool (per BR)
• Krapp, Gene: ??? (I’m hoping for something other than the obvious and painful)
• Krausse, Lew: KRAUS (rhymes with ‘house’)
• Kremer, Ray: KRAY-mer
• Krenchicki, Wayne: kren-CHICK-ee
• Kreutzer, Frank: KROY-tzur (per BR)
• Krsnich, Rocky: KURZ-nitch
• Krug, Chris: KROOG
• Krukow, Mike: KRU-ko
• Kubek, Tony: KOO-bek
• Kubiak, Ted: KYU-bee-ack (per BR)
• Kucek, Jack: KOO-sek (per Mr. Kucek himself; thank you!)
• Kucharski, Joe: ku-CHAR-skee
• Kucks, Johnny: COOKS
• Kuehl, Karl: KEEL
• Kuenn, Harvey: KEEN (verified by living relative)
• Kuhel, Joe: KOO-el (per period broadcast clip posted by descendant (who presumably would have commented had the name been mispronounced by the announcer)
• Kuiper, Duane: KYE-per (rhymes with ‘tiger’)
• Kuntz, Rusty: KOONTZ
• Kurowski, Whitey: kur-OW-skee (from period broadcast)
• Kusnyer, Art: KUSH-ner
• Kutyna, Marty: kuh-TEE-nah (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Kuzava, Bob: ku-ZAW-vah (thanks, Buddy)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top L

• Laabs, Chet: ???
• Labine, Clem: la-BINE (rhymes with ‘the pine’)
• Lachemann, Marcel and René: LATCH-eh-man (verified from newscast; they’re French Canadian with a German-looking name, but in French it would be LAWSH-MOHN with the N just a hint. BR says LATCH-man, and some may have said it that way.)
• LaCorte, Frank: luh-KORT-ee
• Lafitte, Ed: la-FEET (almost surely; thanks, John-William)
• LaFrancois, Roger: lah-fran-swah (even stress)
• LaGrow, Lerrin: LAIR-in la-GROE (rhymes with ‘hair in the joe’; thanks, Alex)
• Lahoud, Joe: la-WHO
• Lajoie, Nap: LA-zha-way (evidently a very common butchering, which the affable batting champ tolerated in good spirit) or la ZHWAH (nearly correct French; the language does not stress syllables, but a second party with a credible claim to be a relative states that Lajoie preferred this, and that it’s the family pronunciation)
• Lamabe, Jack: la-MABE (rhymes with ‘the save’; per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Lamet, Dinelson: dee-NEL-sen luh-METT
• Lampe, Jim: LAM-pee (per BR)
• Landreaux, Ken: LAN-droh
• Lau, Charlie: rhymes with ‘now’ (son pronounces it this way)
• Laudner, Tim: LODD-ner
• Lauzerique, George: LA-zer-eek (per BR)
• Lavagetto, Cookie: lav-uh-JET-oh
• Lavalliere, Mike: luh-VOLL-yer (French would be LA VAHL YEHR)
• Lavan, Doc: ??? (I’m guessing ‘LAY-ven’ as it used to be ‘Laven’)
• Lazzeri, Tony: la-ZER-ee
• Lea, Charlie: LEE
• Leathers, Hal: just like the material
• LeBourveau, Bevo: luh-BOR-vo
• Leclerc, José: luh-KLAYRK (like ‘cleric’ without the I; thanks, MJY)
• Lee, Leron: LEE-ron
• Lefebvre, Jim and Tip: luh-FEE-ver
• Lefebvre, Joe: luh-FAY (the original French would be LUH-FEHV, so about halfway between; Jim is documented to have liked the French pronunciation when in Montréal)
• Lehew, Jim: LAY-hugh (rhymes with ‘play hugh’; thanks, John-William)
• Leibold, Nemo: LEE-bold
• Leibrandt, Charlie: LEE-brant
• Lelivelt, Jack: (there is reason to suppose it was LELL-ih-vett based on misspellings; jury out)
• Lemanczyk, Dave: luh-MAN-chick
• Lemonds, Dave: like ‘lemons’ (per BR)
• Leon, Sandy: lay-OHN (thanks, MJY)
• Leonhard, Dave: LEN-ahrd (with more of an ‘ah’ sound than ‘Leonard’)
• Lepcio, Ted: ???
• Lewallyn, Denny: loo-ELL-en
• Lezcano, Sixto: lezz-KAHN-oh
• Liberatore, Adam: LIBB-er-ah-tor (thanks, MJY)
• Liddle, Don: LID-ul
• Lien, Al: LEEN
• Linares, Rufino: luh-NAHR-ess
• Lindell, Johnny: linn-DELL
• Lipon, Johnny: LIPP-on (like ‘sip on’)
• Liriano, Rymer: like ‘rhymer,’ lee-ree-AH-no (thanks, MJY)
• Lis, Joe: LISS (rhymes with ‘kiss;’ thank you, Mac)
• Littell, Mark: luh-TELL
• Litwhiler, Danny: LITT-why-lur
• Llenas, Winston: YAY-nas
• Lobert, Hans: HANDS LOH-bert (recording of his own voice)
• Locastro, Tim: loh-KASS-troh (thanks, MJY)
• Lodigiani, Dario: lo-duh-JONN-ee
• Loes, Billy: LOZE (rhymes with ‘hose’; per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Lolich, Mickey and Ron: LOW-litch (like ‘toe itch’)
• Lonnett, Joe: lon-ETT
• Lopes, Davey: rhymes with ‘ropes’
• Loviglio, Jay: low-VIG-lee-oh (per contemporary telecast by Harry Caray)
• Lovitto, Joe: lo-VEE-toe (per BR; I’ll say probably)
• Lovrich, Peter: LOVE-rich
• Lowenstein, John: LOW-in-stine
• Lown, Turk: rhymes with ‘town’
• Lubratich, Steve: luh-BRAT-itch (per video from his alma mater; BR says LU-brah-tich, I think his alma mater knew him better)
• Lucchesi, Frank: loo-CASE-ee
• Luebber, Steve: LOO-ber
• Lugo, Dawel: DAH-well (thanks, MJY)
• Lumpe, Jerry: LUMP-ee (per BR)
• Luplow, Alvin: loop-LOE (per BR; dubious, in my estimation)
• Luque, Adolfo: LOO-kay
• Lusader, Scott: lu-SAY-der (thanks, MJY)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top M

• Machemehl, Chuck: MOCK-eh-mell
• Mackanin, Pete: mah-KIN-in (per BR; not 100% confident)
• Mackiewicz, Felix: MACK-uh-wits
• MacPhail, Larry and Lee: muk-FALE
• Mahler, Mickey and Rick: MAY-ler
• Maisel, Fritz and George: MY-zell
• Maitan, Kevin: MY-tan (thanks, MJY)
• Maler, Jim: MAY-ler
• Malzone, Frank: mal-ZONE (Italian would be mal-ZONE-ee)
• Mamaux, Al: ma-MOO
• Manaea, Sean: muh-NIGH-uh (like ‘Shania,’ as in Twain; thanks, MJY)
• Mangual, Ángel: ON-hel mon-GWALL, though often pronounced AIN-jell man-GWELL by announcers; some question about how he pronounced it
• Mantilla, Félix: man-TEE-ya
• Manush, Frank and Heinie: ma-NOOSH
• Maranville, Rabbit: muh-RANN-vill (vowels like “an anvil”)
• Marchildon, Phil: MAR-shill-dun
• Marichal, Juan: MAYRE-uh-shal (verified by contemporary player interview; proper Spanish: mar-ee-CHAWL)
• Marquard, Rube: MARK-ward (per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame; French is roughly MAR-KAHR)
• Marrero, Deven: DEVV-uhn (thanks, MJY)
• Martínez, Marty: mar-TEE-nezz (I don’t buy BR’s idea of a silent R)
• Mashore, Clyde: ma-SHOR
• Masi, Phil: MAY-see (soft S)
• Matchick, Tom: MATT-chick
• Matuszek, Len: muh-TU-zek
• Mauch, Gene: MOCK (which no sane ballplayer ever did to the tempestuous Mauch)
• Mazara, Nomar: muh-ZAHR-uh (thanks, MJY)
• Mazeroski, Bill: mazz-er-AWSS-kee (like ‘has her oskie’)
• McElveen, Pryor: ???
• McEnaney, Will: MACK-uh-nenn-ee (from subject on YT interview)
• McGaha, Mel: muh-GAY-uh
• McGlothen, Lynn: muh-GLAW-then or muh-GLOW-then (some uncertainty)
  
• McGlothlin, Jim: muh-GLAWTH-len
• McLaughlin, Byron: ???
• McLaughlin, Joey: ???
• McNertney, Jerry: mick-NURT-nee (thanks, John-William)
  
• Meador, Johnny: ??? (usually MEDD-or)
  
• Medich, Doc: MEDD-itch
• Melanson, Mark: muh-LANN-sun (thanks, MJY)
• Melillo, Oscar: muh-LILL-oh
• Menke, Denis: MAIN-key (with a real soft N)
• Meoli, Rudy: mee-OH-lee
• Mertes, Sam: MUR-teez
• Meusel, Bob and Irish: MYOO-zul (thanks, Buddy)
  
• Mikkelsen, Pete: MICK-el-sen (per BR)
• Milbourne, Larry: MILL-born
• Millán, Félix: FEE-lix mee-YON (Spanish: FAY-lix)
• Minarcin, Rudy: min-AR-sin
• Mincher, Don: MINN-chur
• Mingori, Steve: min-GORE-ee
• Miñoso, Minnie: mi-NO-so (Spanish: mee-NYO-so)
• Mitterwald, George: MITT-er-wald
• Mizell, Wilmer: my-ZELL
• Mogridge, George: ???
• Molinaro, Bobby: MOLE-in-ah-ro (per BR; I have reservations)
• Monbouquette, Bill: MON-bu-ket
• Moncada, Yoan: yoh-AHN (thanks, MJY)
• Monge, Sid: MON-jee; (per announcer, and thanks, Thom)
• Montañez, Willie: mon-TAN-yez
• Montas, Francellis: fran-SELL-iss MAHN-tahs (thanks, MJY)
• Monteagudo, Aurelio and René: mon-tee-ah-GOO-doe (Spanish: mon-tay-ah-GOO-doe)
• Montefusco, John: mon-tuh-FYOO-skoh
• Montemayor, Felipe: feh-LEE-pay MONN-teh-MY-or
• Morales, Jerry, José, and Rich: mor-AHL-ezz
• Moret, Rogelio: roe-HEE-lee-o mor-EH or mor-ETT (haven’t fully sorted out when the last name has the French pronunciation; he was Puerto Rican, so mor-ETT makes more sense)
• Moryn, Walt: MORE-in (from old TV broadcast)
• Mostil, Johnny: MOSS-till
• Motte, Jason: rhymes with ‘hot’ (thanks, MJY)
• Mueller, Don: MULE-er
• Muncrief, Bob: MUNN-kreef
• Muñoz, Yairo: rhymes with ‘Cairo’ but he does seem to pronounce it beginning with the slight J sound not uncommon in native Spanish speakers using English (thanks, MJY and Rebecca)
• Murrell, Ivan: mur-RELL
• Musial, Stan: MYOOZH-al (routinely given as MYOOZH-you-ul, MOOZ-ee-al or MYOOZH-ee-al; some uncertainty exists as to how Stan pronounced it, since he rarely talked about himself)
• Mustelier, Ronnier: rahn-ee-AIR muss-tel-ee-EH (thanks, MJY)
• Mutis, Jeff: MYOO-tiss

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top N

• Narum, Les: NARR-um (per BR)
• Necciai, Ron: NETCH-eye
• Neibauer, Gary: NYE-bow-ur (per BR)
• Neiger, Al: rhymes with ‘tiger’; thanks, John-William
• Neun, Johnny: NOON
• Nevers, Ernie: NEV-urs (verified by descendant)
• Niarhos, Gus: NYE-ur-hoss
• Nido, Tomás: NEE-doh (thanks, MJY)
• Niehoff, Bert: NEE-hoff
• Niekro, Joe and Phil: NEE-kro
• Nieman, Bob: ???
• Niemiec, Al: ??? (a modern owner of the name pronounces it NEE-mick)
• Noble, Ray: NO-blay (last syllable rhymes with ‘play’)
• Nola, Aaron: as English ‘Aaron’ (thanks, MJY)
• Northrup, Jim: NOR-thruhp
• Nottebart, Don: NOTT-uh-bart

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top O

• Oceak, Frank: OH-shee-ack (per interview with player remembering him as a coach; oh-SEE-ack per BR)
• Oeschger, Joe: ESH-gur
• Oliva, Tony: oh-LEE-va
• Ontiveros, Steve and Steve: ON-ti-VARE-ohse (last part like ‘lactose’)
  
• Orimoloye, Demi: or-ih-MOH-loy (thanks, MJY)
• Osteen, Claude: oh-STEEN (per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame; I think BR’s syllable stress on the first is mistaken)
• Owchinko, Bob: ???

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top P

• Pache, Cristian: as ‘christian patch’; thanks, MJY
• Paciorek, Jim, John, Mike and Tom: pah-CHOR-ik
• Paepke, Dennis and Jack: PAPP-key
• Pagan, Dave: PAY-gun (confirmed by Yankees media guide plus a call to Dave’s home town in Saskatchewan; thanks, Larry)
• Pagán, José: ho-ZAY pa-GONE (also rhymes with ‘the fawn’)
• Pagliaroni, Jim: pag-lee-ah-ROH-nee (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Pagliarulo, Mike: pal-ee-ah-RULE-oh
• Palica, Bo and Erv: pah-LEE-kuh
• Palys, Stan: PAL-iss
• Papa, John: played as PAPP-uh, pronounces it PAH-puh (thanks, John-William)
• Pape, Larry: ???
• Paris, Kelly: PAIR-iss (thanks, Andy)
• Pasley, Kevin: PAY-slee
• Passeau, Claude: pass-OH
• Patek, Freddie: PAW-tek
• Patrylo, Bob: puh-TRY-loh (thanks, John-William)
• Pascual, Camilo: ca-MEE-lo pass-KWALL (last name per BR)
• Paulino, David: pah-LEE-no (thanks, MJY)
• Pavletich, Don: pav-LET-ik
• Peckinpaugh, Roger: PECK-in-paw
• Pederson, Joc: JOCK PEE-der-son (thanks, MJY)
• Pelekoudas, Chris: pel-uh-KOO-duss (per BR)
• Peña, José: PAIN-yuh (per BR)
• Pepitone, Joe: PEP-i-tone
• Pérez, Martín: mar-TEEN PARE-ess (thanks, MJY)
• Pérez, Tony: peh-REZZ (Spanish: PARE-ess)
• Peralta, David: as English ‘David’ (thanks, MJY)
• Perranoski, Ron: pair-uh-NAWSS-kee
• Perzanowski, Stan: ???
• Petrocelli, Rico: pet-ro-SELL-ee (rather than the Italian pet-ro-CHELL-ee, which BR alleges)
• Pfeffer, Jeff: PEFF-er (per a relative of both Jeff Pfeffers–thanks, Tom!)
• Pfeil, Bobby: exactly like ‘file’; per SABR interview and article
  
• Pfister, Daniel: FISS-ter
• Phillippe, Deacon: FILL-eh-pee (some insist that it is fill-EEP; name was originally ‘Phillipi’; jury’s out)
• Phoebus, Tom: FEE-bus
• Picciolo, Rob: PEACH-uh-lo
• Piche, Ron: pee-SHAY
• Picinich, Val: pah-SIN-itch
• Piet, Tony: PEE-a
• Pignatano, Joe: pig-na-TAWN-oh (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Pilarcik, Al: pill-AR-sick
• Pillette, Duane and Herman: pih-LETT
• Piña, Horacio: hor-EH-shee-oh PEE-na (by most baseball people at the time; a native Spanish speaker, he pronounces it or-AH-see-oh PEEN-ya)
• Piniella, Lou: pah-NELL-ah
• Pinson, Vada: VAY-dah PINN-sun (per son)
• Pipgras, George: ???
• Plawecki, Kevin: pluh-WECK-ee (thanks, MJY)
• Pleis, Billy: PLICE (rhymes with ‘spice’; per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Pocoroba, Biff: po-ko-ROE-buh
• Podgajny, Johnny: puh-JONN-ee
• Podres, Johnny: PAH-draze
• Poepping, Mike: PEPP-ing
• Pollet, Howie: puh-LETT
• Ponce, Carlos and Tony: PONE-say
• Poquette, Tom: po-KETT
• Posedel, Bill: poze-DELL
• Postema, Pam: po-STEAM-uh (per Jon Leonoudakis’s video ‘Ball Four Turns 40)
• Priddy, Bob: PRIDD-ee (rhymes with ‘gritty’; thanks, Andy)
• Puig, Rick: PWIG (per BR)
• Puleo, Charlie: pu-LAY-oh (thanks, Andy)
• Pytlak, Frankie: PIT-lack

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top Q

• Quilici, Frank: KWILL-uh-see
• Quiñones, Luis and Rey: kee-NYO-naze

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top R

• Radatz, Dick: RAD-itz
• Rajsich, Dave and Gary: RAY-sitch
• Rakow, Ed: ROCK-oh
• Ranew, Merritt: ruh-NOO
• Rariden, Bill: ???
• Raschi, Vic: RASH-ee
• Ratliff, Paul: RATT-liff
• Rauch, Bob: ROCK
• Raymond, Claude: ruh-MONE (evidently not RAY-MONH as it would be in his native French)
• Reberger, Frank: REE-bur-gur (per BR)
• Reich, Herm: RICH
• Reichardt, Rick: RYE-kart
• Reiser, Pete: REESE-er
• Remy, Jerry: REM-ee
• Renick, Rick: RENN-ick
• Repoz, Roger: REE-poze (per Mr. Repoz himself; thanks, Terry and John-William)
  
• Reulbach, Ed: ROYLE-bock (per Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Reuschel, Paul and Rick: RUSH-ull
• Reuss, Jerry: ROYCE
• Rhame, Jacob: rhymes with ‘fame’ (thanks, MJY)
• Ribant, Dennis: rye-BANNT (per BR)
• Richbourg, Lance: ???
• Richert, Pete: RICK-ert (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Rickards, Tex: RICK-erdz (from archived radio broadcast)
• Rickert, Marv: RICK-urt
• Ridzik, Steve: RID-zick
• Riebe, Hank: REE-bee
• Risberg, Swede: RIZZ-burg
• Rizzuto, Phil: rih-ZOO-toe (rhymes with ‘prosciutto,’ which if you do not know what it is, should try it sometime with cheese on oven-toasted French bread)
• Robert, Luis: loo-EESE ROB-ert (thanks, MJY)
• Roenicke, Gary and Ron: RENN-uh-key
• Roettger, Oscar and Wally: RUTT-gur (like a singularized New Jersey university)
• Rogell, Billy: roe-GELL (hard G)
• Roggenburk, Garry: ROE-gen-burk (adapted from BR)
• Rogovin, Saul: ROGG-o-vinn (per old Baseball Register copy, and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Rojas, Cookie: ROE-hoss
• Rojek, Stan: ROE-jack
• Romo, Vicente: vee-SEN-tay ROE-moe (thanks, Andy)
• Roque, Jorge: roe-KAY (per BR)
• Rosario, Amed: AH-med (thanks, MJY)
• Rosario, Jimmy: rose-AH-ree-oh (thanks, Andy)
• Roush, Edd: RAUSH with vowel like ‘mouse’ (from elderly teammate of Edd’s; thanks, Glen)
• Rozema, Dave: ROSE-muh
• Ruether, Dutch: ???
• Ruhle, Vern: RULE
• Ruiz, Keibert: KAY-bare roo-EEZ (thanks, MJY)
• Runge, Ed: RUN-gee
• Russo, Marius: MARE-ee-us ROO-so
• Ryba, Mike: REE-bah
• Ryu, Hyun-Jin: HUN (thanks, MJY)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top S

• Sadecki, Ray: suh-DECK-ee (per BR)
• Sadek, Mike: SAY-deck
• Sadowski, Ed: sah-DOW-skee
• Saffell, Tom: SAFF-el
• Saier, Vic: SEAR
• Sallee, Slim: sah-LEE (researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Salin, Tony: SAY-linn (non-MLB, but do you think I’d leave the man off?)
• Salkeld, Tony: SAWL-keld
• Salmon, Chico: suh-MONE (Spanish: saul-MONE; Chico was Panamanian)
• Saltalamacchia, Jarrod: SAL-tal-a-MOCK-ee-ya
• Saltzgaver, Jack: SAULZ-gay-ver
• Sambito, Joe: sam-BEE-toh (thanks, MJY)
• Sanguillén, Manny: san-GEE-en (Spanish: san-gee-YEN)
• Saucier, Frank: so-SHAY
• Sauer, Hank: rhymes with ‘power’ (thanks, Andy!)
• Savage, Ted: SAVV-edge (thanks again, Andy)
• Saverine, Bob: SAVV-ah-rinn (like ‘aspirin’; BR has it as savv-er-EEN or savv-er-EIN, and I think both are low and outside)
  
• Sawatski, Carl: sa-WASS-kee (from old TV broadcast)
• Sborz, Josh: like ‘spores’ with a B (thanks, MJY)
• Schaal, Paul: SHAWL
• Schacht, Al: SHACKED
• Schaive, Johnny: SHY-vee
• Schalk, Ray: SHAWK
• Schaller, Biff: ???
• Schanz, Charley: SHAWNZ (thanks, Buddy)
• Schardt, Bill: ???
• Scharein, George: SHARR-en (some doubt here)
• Scheib, Carl: SHIBE like the old ballpark (from YT shown in his home town)
• Scheinblum, Richie: SHINE-bloom
• Scherman, Fred: SURE-man (per BR)
• Schiraldi, Calvin: shur-ALL-dee
• Schlueter, Jay: SHLOOT-ur (per BR)
• Schoendienst, Paul and Red: SHANE-deenst
• Schroll, Al: ???
• Schueler, Ron: SHOO-lur (per BR)
• Schulmerich, Wes: ???
• Schultz, Jaime: as English ‘Jamie’ (thanks, MJY)
• Schupp, Ferdie: ???
• Scioscia, Mike: SO-sha
• Scull, Angel: SKOOL (homophonic with ‘school’; thanks, John-William)
• Seager, Corey: like Peter Seeger; SEE-gur, hard G (thanks, MJY)
• Sebring, Jimmy: SEA-bring
• Secory, Frank: suh-KOR-ee
• Segedin, Rob: SEGG-uh-din (thanks, MJY)
• Seghi, Phil: SEE-gee
• Segui, David and Diego: suh-GEE
• Serena, Bill: suh-REE-nuh
• Serrett, Rudy: suh-RETT (thanks, John-William)
• Severson, Rich: SEE-ver-son
• Sewald, Paul: SOO-uld (thanks, MJY)
• Sewell, Joe: SOO-ul (usually run together to rhyme with ‘tool’)
• Seyfried, Gordon: SY-frid (thanks, John-William)
• Shamsky, Art: SHAM-skee
• Shaute, Joe: SHAY-oot
• Shean, Dave: ???
• Shellenback, Jim: shell-EN-back
• Shopay, Tom: show-PAY
• Show, Eric: SHAU (rhymes with ‘now’)
• Shuba, George: SHOO-ba
• Siebert, Sonny: SEE-burt
• Sierra, Magneuris: magg-NURE-iss (thanks, MJY)
• Silvestri, Ken: sill-VESS-tree
• Sipin, John: ???
• Sisler, George: SISS-ler (not verified for Dave and Dick, who came later)
• Sleater, Lou: SLAY-ter
• Skowron, Bill: SKAU-run (rhymes with ‘cow fun’)
• Soderholm, Eric: SODD-er-home
• Solaita, Tony: so-LEE-tah
• Soler, Jorge: HOR-hay so-LAIR (thanks, MJY)
• Sothoron, Allen: ???
• Span, Denard: duh-NARD (thanks, MJY)
• Speake, Bob: rhymes with ‘sleek’; from 1957 game broadcast
• Speaker, Tris: ??? (the question here is the first name pronunciation, likely ‘TRISS’)
• Speier, Chris: SPY-er
• Spezio, Ed: SPEE-zee-o (per BR)
• Splittorff, Paul: SPLIT-orf
• Spohrer, Al: SPORE-er
• Spoljaric, Paul: spole-JER-ik (vowels like ‘bowl hair pick’; thanks, MJY)
• Staehle, Marv: STAY-lee (per BR)
• Stahl, Larry: STALL
• Stainback, Tuck: STAIN-back
• Stallard, Tracy: rhymes with ‘mallard’
• Stanage, Oscar: STAN-edge
• Stange, Lee: STANG
• Starrette, Herm: stah-RETT
• Staub, Rusty: STOBB
• Staumont, Josh: STAW-mont (thanks, MJY)
• Stein, Bill: STYNE (per BR)
• Steirer, Rick: ???
• Stelmaszek, Rick: stel-MAY-zik (per BR; sounds right)
• Strahler, Mike: STRAW-ler (per BR)
• Strange, Alan: rhymes with ‘range’
  
• Strohmayer, John: STRO-my-er (thanks, Andy)
• Stubing, Moose: STEW-bing
• Suarez, Ken: SWAH-rez (he does not spell his name with the accent; born in Tampa)
• Sudakis, Bill: suh-DAY-kiss
• Sudol, Ed: ???
• Sukeforth, Clyde: SUE-kuh-forth
• Susce, George: SUE-see
• Sutter, Bruce: SUE-ter
• Sveum, Dale: SWAYME (rhymes with ‘same’; abundant sources; thanks, Jesse)
• Swoboda, Ron: swa-BOE-duh
• Szczur, Matt: SEE-zur (thanks, MJY)
• Szekely, Joe: ZECK-lee (the original Hungarian is freaky to our ears; comes out somewhat like ‘seck-EH-yuh’)
• Szotkiewicz, Ken: ZOT-kee-witz (BR thinks SOCK-uh-witz; I’m guessing his own pronunciation is somewhere in the middle)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top T

• Tapani, Kevin: TAPP-ah-nee (thanks, Kerry)
• Tapia, Raimel: ray-MEL (thanks, MJY)
• Tappe, Elvin and Ted: TAPP-ee
• Tekulve, Kent: teh-KULL-vee
• Tenace, Gene: ‘tennis’
• Tesreau, Jeff: TEZ-roe
• Teufel, Tim: TUFF-ull
• Theobald, Ron: THEE-o-bald (soft th)
  
• Thevenow, Tommy: tev-eh-NOW (thanks, Buddy; verified by living descendant)
  
• Thies, Dave and Jake: TEEZ (BR has it as TEESE)
• Tiant, Luis: TEE-ahnt
• Tiefenauer, Bobby: tee-fen-AU-er (rhymes with ‘teeth in power’; BR renders it TEE-fen-ow-er, sounds more likely to me)
• Tietje, Les: ???
• Tighe, Jack: TIE
• Tischinski, Tom: tuh-SHIN-skee
• Toporcer, Specs: TOE-poor-sir
• Torre, Frank and Joe – TORR-ee
• Tost, Lou: TOAST
• Toth, Paul: rhymes with ‘both’
• Tovar, César: SAY-zar TOE-var (in Spanish, it would be toe-VAR)
• Tracewski, Dick: truh-ZOO-skee
• Tragesser, Walt: ???
• Trevino, Alex: truh-VEEN-yo (thanks, Andy)
• Troedson, Rich: TRODE-son
• Trouppe, Quincy: TROOP
• Tsitouris, Johnny: suh-TOUR-iss (BR has it as tiss-i-TOUR-iss; consensus is they’re wrong)
• Turner, Trea: TRAY (thanks, MJY)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top U

• Uecker, Bob: YOO-ker
• Uhalt, Frenchy: ???
• Uhlaender, Ted: YOO-lann-der
• Uhle, George: YOO-lee
• Umbach, Arnold: UM-baw (per BR)
• Umbricht, Jim: UM-bryte
• Unser, Al and Del: UN-sur (rhymes with ‘one sir’; thanks, Alex)
• Urías, Julio: oo-REE-ahs (thanks, MJY)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top V

• Valo, Elmer: VOLL-oh
• Van Atta, Russ: van-AT-ah
• Van Burkleo, Ty: BURK-lee-oh
• Vaughan, Arky: VAWN
• Veale, Bob: ‘veal’
• Veeck, William Sr. and Bill: VECK (Yes, yes, as in ‘wreck,’ all right? I’m a huge fan.)
• Vergez, Johnny: VEER-jess
• Versalles, Zoilo: ZOE-lo ver-SY-yez (Spanish should be SOY-loh vare-SAW-yez; an old newspaper article says that’s how Vin Scully pronounced it, and proclaims it perfect. I’m not sure about perfect, but Scully probably spoke to Versalles more times than I have.)
• Veryzer, Tom: ve-RYE-zer
• Viox, Jim: VEE-ox
• Virdon, Bill: VUR-dun
• Vukovich, John: VOO-koe-vitch

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top W

• Waddell, Rube: wa-DELL
• Wagner, Honus: HONN-us WAGG-ner (seems it comes from Johannes, then Hannes/Hans)
• Waitkus, Eddie: WATE-kuss
• Walker, Gee: ???
• Wambsganss, Bill: WHAMS-gans (rhymes with ‘Hamm’s cans’; per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Waner, Lloyd and Paul: WAY-nur
• Warneke, Lon: wor-NUH-kee (this one’s a serious ‘huh?’)
• Waslewski, Gary: waz-LOO-skee (thanks, Larry)
  
• Wathan, John: WAH-thun (first part rhymes with ‘moth’)
• Wegener, Mike: WEGG-uh-nur (per BR)
• Weik, Dick: WIKE
• Weiland, Bob: WHY-lund
• Weis, Al and Art: WHYSS (rhymes with ‘nice’)
• Welchonce, Harry: ???
• Werhas, John: WER-hahs (per BR)
• Werle, Bill: WHIRL
• Weyer, Lee: exactly like ‘wire,’ per BR
• Weyhing, Gus and John: WAY-ing
• Whitted, Possum: WHITE-ed
• Wiesler, Bob: WEEZ-ler
• Wietelmann, Whitey: WEE-tull-man
• Wiltse, Hooks: WILT-sea (per baseball-reference.com and researched by Mr. Bill Francis of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Witte, Jerry: WITT-ee
• Wohlford, Jim: WOLE-furd
• Woodeshick, Hal: WOOD-ah-shick

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top X

• (no entries yet; evidently there has never been an MLB player with an X name)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top Y

• Yaztrzemski, Carl: ya-STREM-skee
• Yde, Emil: EE-dee
• Yerkes, Steve: ???
• Yochim, Len and Ray: YO-kum
• Yost, Ed and Ned: YOAST
• Younginer, Madison: YUNG-in-er (thanks, MJY)
• Yvars, Sal: EE-varz

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top Z

• Zangari, Corey: zan-GA-ree (thanks, MJY)
• Zarilla, Al: za-RILL-uh
• Zauchin, Norm: ZOW-chin (rhymes with ‘cow pin,’ I believe)
• Zdeb, Joe: ZEB
• Zernial, Gus: ZUR-nee-el (from interview with him)
• Zipfel, Bud: ZIFF-ull (if pronouncing it slowly, use the P; thanks, John-William)
• Zoldak, Sam: ZOLE-dack
• Zmich, Ed: ???
• Zych, Tony: ZICK

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Methodology Top Notes on methodology Many players’ names sound different in their languages of origin, raising questions like ‘is it the English way or the Spanish way?’ Immigrants or ethnically enclaved citizens quite often decide to accept Anglicized pronunciations rather than constantly correct everyone. Family pronunciations can shift over time. Sometimes it’s both, as Leo Durocher describes growing up hearing French with his last name pronounced à la française, later Anglicizing it (or deciding to accept same from others). Where I believe that an individual may have pronounced his name differently at home than in the dugout, or just feel like sharing, I offer the correct non-Anglicized option.

This will always be a work in progress, so if readers have new information and can offer source support (i.e. know the family, heard the announcer, happen to speak the language, etc.), please comment to help improve the guide. I expect to get caught out and corrected a lot, and if the source is authoritative, would love to fix it. Highest credibility would be first the individual himself, then his family, then his descendants and teammates. Notes in red represent where I feel uncertain. In many such cases I’m about 95% sure and just don’t feel that’s sure enough. Often my only question is where the accent is, or whether the G is hard, etc. I try not to leap to assumptions, so if you are wondering “how could he be unsure of that?” it’s because he has learned to wait for confirmation. The most common issue is that people send me an update or correction without two of the most important things: accented syllables, and a description of their source. For example, if you’re the player’s nephew, or a personal friend, that’s perfect. But it is very important to have unambiguous phonetics and accenting. Best method is to include a word with which it rhymes, and please never forget that we need the proper accented syllables. We must take this seriously, in my view, because this project will be taken by many as a key source. I’ve already seen a lot of verbatim on baseball-reference.com. Can’t say it simpler: people will rely on this, and better to say nothing than to say wrong and be taken on faith.

If I don’t use the precise phonics you send me, it’s because I felt I had a more precise or less ambiguous way to render them. It’s an imperfect science with English phonics and the Latin characters. I understood what sounds you meant; now I have to make sure that every reader also does. Your contribution was just as helpful.

If you want to scan for red and dig something up to help out, climb into the cage and take some B. I speak passable Spanish and French, so if I’ve made a mistake there that you wish to correct, hopefully you are more fluent than me. I do not speak German or Italian, so I can use all the help I can get there. When you have to eat an elephant, don’t stuff a whole leg in your mouth at once; start with a toe. Thus a wise man once taught me, and for that reason, I have placed some emphasis on players who played more. Not that I’m unwilling to go after guys with one time at bat, or umpires, or coaches, just had to set a priority. If your guy isn’t listed yet, and there’s any question about the pronunciation and you can answer it, I’m ready to list any player, umpire, manager or coach in major league history. I count the Negro Leagues and the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League as major leagues, and will include pronunciations from those as readily as I will the AL/NL and predecessors. One nice thing about being the project initiator is that no one gets to veto one’s notions of who belongs.

If you find the comment process tedious, you can email “tc underbar vitki at yahoo dot com.” If you send your input this way, I will assume that privacy played a role, and will make my best efforts to credit you (hopefully I remember that bit) in some way that preserves your privacy.

Old Baseball Registers can be helpful, but they can’t be taken for gospel. I did some digging in the old ones and found a lot of dubious pronunciations.

As the project has progressed from its auspicious launch (massive early hits thanks to an ESPN link), I have learned that a few passionate allies go very far. Buddy, Larry, MJY, you’re what love of the game is all about. Don’t credit me; I began with Salin’s work, did some of my own, but I could not have done all that others have.

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Tags: manuscript editor, fiction editor, non-fiction editor, freelance editor.