Dummy (nickname)

Dummy was a nickname commonly applied to "deaf and dumb" (deaf-mute) athletes, especially baseball players, in the late 19th and early 20th century. In that era, the word "dumb" was used to describe someone who could not speak, rather than someone who was stupid; but since the ability to speak was often connected to one's intelligence, the epithets "dumb" and "dummy" became interchangeable with stupidity. Notable persons with the nickname include:

Dummy Deegan (1874–1957), American baseball pitcher
Ed Dundon (1859–1893), American baseball pitcher credited with being the first deaf player in major league history
Dummy Hoy (1862–1961), American baseball center fielder
Dummy Lebey (1896–1959), American college football player
Dummy Leitner (1871–1960), American baseball pitcher
Herbert Murphy (1886–1962), American baseball shortstop
Dummy Stephenson (1869–1924), American baseball outfielder
Dummy Taylor (1875–1958), American baseball pitcher
Earle Taylor (1891–1955), American college football player

See also