If you've followed the Boston Red Sox at all this spring, you may have heard the team's new ace, Garrett Crochet, being referred to as a "pig."
The nickname has taken Red Sox Nation by storm, inspiring signs at Fenway Park and gameday outfits. Believe it or not, being called a "pig" is a compliment — at least, according to the originator of the name.
Former Red Sox player and current commentator for NESN, Lou Merloni, coined the moniker for Crochet. He first used it before Boston even traded for Crochet on Dec. 11, and since then, the name has only grown more popular.
"Before they traded for him, I said 'I want this guy,' and I called him a pig," Merloni said in a video posted to NESN's Twitter account. "People didn't know whether it was a compliment, they didn't know what the hell it meant, they didn't know anything. Bottom line is, simply put, he's filthy."
Red Sox color commentator Lou Merloni coined 'pig' nickname for Garrett Crochet before he signed with Boston
So why does @LouMerloni call Garrett Crochet "the pig" you ask? 🤔
— NESN (@NESN) April 4, 2025
Because he's filthy, duh 🐷 pic.twitter.com/ba1yrRGBi4
Pig is the latest insult to take on a positive connotation in a baseball context — "nasty" and "disgusting" also come to mind, usually used in reference to devastating pitches, of which Crochet has plenty. He pitched to a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts over 146 innings last year with the White Sox, and he's off to a great start with the Red Sox with a 1.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 26 innings. Rest assured, Crochet likes the nickname.
"I like the pig nickname. I've been getting blown up in my Instagram comments about it. My wife thinks it's hilarious, too," Crochet said on the "Section 10" podcast.
When Crochet has a great day on the mound, Red Sox Twitter is littered with pictures of pigs and "oinks" of approval from fans. His seven-inning no-hit bid on April 13 and eight-inning shutout of the Orioles on April 2 were particularly popular days for the onomatopoeia on social media.
There will be many more oinks and pig-sign sightings in the Red Sox's future. On March 31, the team signed Crochet to a six-year, $170 million extension to keep him in Boston long-term. If the nickname sticks, Fenway Park could have pig costumes and signs in the crowd for years.