Little Slugger

I just noticed that Richard Childress Racing has promoted Richard "Slugger" Labbe to "a leading role" in its research and development department. But they didn't say Richard "Slugger" Labbe; they just said Slugger Labbe. His nickname has become his name, kind of like Magic Johnson or Pie Traynor.

That story made me think of the time we were on the Winston Cup Media Tour — probably 15 or 20 years ago — and I asked Labbe why they call him Slugger. He said that when he was a baby or toddler — I forget which — he was wearing a t-shirt with "Little Slugger" on it. They've called him Slugger ever since.

It's a shame that Slugger didn't play baseball; the nickname would have fit perfectly. On the other hand, it's fit him most of his life.

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