Bob Mangino sent along a link that points out an oddity among sports: guys named Bob aren't very common any longer.  Turns out the last active Bob in major American sports is Bob Sanders:

Via Wikipedia, the story of how San Diego Chargers safety Bob Sanders came to be known as Bob:

Having been given a name that was difficult for many to pronounce correctly (Demond), Sanders asked his mother if his name could be changed. His mother suggested "Bob" as a nickname, and the name stuck.

Of those 1,884 Bobs, Sanders is the only one still playing.

I take no pleasure in being the one to inform you that the Bobs are gone. They were all around us, and now they are nowhere, and their exit was slow, silent, imperceptible.

9 comments

 

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NateDunlevy 5pts

@T__Lex I would so pay to see that movie.

psvirsky 5pts

I thought the story of his name was a little different - I thought little Demond was the one who wanted to be called Bob. I hope my version is true b/c I've always loved the idea of a little kid saying he wanted to be called Bob when he could pick any name in the world.

monkeybiziu 5pts

@18to88 we need to start calling @RobertMathis98 Bob Mathis, just so there's a Bob.

RobertMathis98 5pts

@monkeybiziu @18to88 no. i cant stand being called bob since i was a kid

monkeybiziu 5pts

When @RobertMathis98 says he doesn't want to be called Bob, you don't argue. @18to88

WillyDuer 5pts 2 Like

"Still Playing."

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

That's funny.

todd_e_smith 5pts

@royhobbson It really is a fascinating oddity. And calling him active is a stretch.

royhobbson 5pts

@coltsauth_todd Yes it is. I vividly remember Bob Horner & Bob Dernier & most 80s baseball players were named Bob.

todd_e_smith 5pts

@royhobbson Bob Gibson! Thanks for cc'ing @jon_bois. Definitely following him now.