SURPRISE, Ariz. — Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria wants to get rid of his nickname.
Soria saved 43 games in 46 opportunities last season and for the second time in two years was selected to the All-Star game. Along the way, he's picked up a nickname he doesn't like: "The Mexicutioner."
Soria is from Monclova, Mexico. He says the nickname has a negative connotation and is particularly bad these days with all the drug gang violence in his native country. He wants a different nickname or just to be called by his name.