25 Most Eccentric Players in Philadelphia Phillies History

By some accounts, you have to have a few screws loose in the old dome if you're going to play Major League Baseball, so there aren't many "normal" players in the game. That influx of interesting personality has opened a door that leads to a Twilight Zone-like realm of screwy baseball players and, perhaps sadly, a lot of them have played for the Philadelphia Phillies.

In fact, looking back over their long history, would it be wrong to say that the Phillies have been the most eccentric franchise of all-time? After all, not only do they have some of baseball's zaniest players, but they've had whole teams of guys who you could call, well, special.

In order to accurately describe the guys on this list, however, we're going to need a reference point, and that reference point is going to be "eccentric," which is defined as "unconventional and slightly strange." If you ask me, I think that's the perfect word to describe most of the Phillies' history.

So now that we have found some common ground, let's get to it. We're taking a look at some of the most unconventional, slightly strange, wacky, zany, and just plain odd players the Phillies have ever had.

25. Matt Stairs

I never thought as Matt Stairs as much of a quirky guy, but when researching names for this list, I came across Stairs often. Most of his teammates and baseball writers thought of Stairs as the ideal veteran—he'd been through just about everything; kept the mood light in the clubhouse.

He applied that eccentric attitude to the way he played the game, despite being nothing more than a role player at the tail-end of his career. Of course, he'll always be remembered by Phillies' fans for hitting that mammoth, postseason home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

24. JC Romero

In his last few seasons with the Phillies, JC Romero wasn't very good, but we need to be fair here: It wasn't entirely his fault. Yes, he is a Major League pitcher and should be able to get right handed hitters out, but he can't, and it took Charlie Manuel, well, the Phils' skipper never did figure out that Romero was a "left handed specialist" for a reason.

With that being said, Romero never stopped being the flashy, full-of-energy reliever with back-end-of-the-bullpen antics but with AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs results.

23. Carlos Ruiz

Once upon a time, Carlos Ruiz was the quiet starting catcher for the Phillies who went about his daily business preparing the pitching staff, having quality at-bats, and most importantly, playing great defense.

Not anymore.

As his career has developed with the Phillies, so too has his personality. Beginning with his celebration of the Phils' second World Series title in 2008 and ever since, the catcher has become a fan-favorite, but also a team-favorite. From inspirational messages on the clubhouse whiteboard to the passionate swoons of "Chooch" from the crowd, Carlos Ruiz has evolved.

22. Pete Incaviglia

One of the more underrated guys on the 1993 club, Pete Incaviglia was like a foreshadowing of Sal Fasano, so if you draw comparisons between the two, I certainly won't hold it against you. He didn't have the best mullet on the team, but it was prominent, and his beer belly was one of the largest.

He helped lead the Phillies to the World Series, but may be more known for a rule that was created because of him. After the Montreal Expos drafted him, they sent him to the Texas Rangers. MLB later published a rule that states a player cannot be traded until a full year after he is drafted, better known as the "Pete Incaviglia Rule."

21. Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee may not seem like much of an eccentric player, but believe me, he is. Some of the obvious moments are those during the 2009 World Series, where he caught a ball behind his back and flipped it to first for an out and later, nonchalantly snagged a pop-up as if Carlos Ruiz was throwing the ball back to him.

However, those are more of a rarity as far as Lee eccentricities are concerned. He has a standard ritual before each inning where he goes through a number of stretches before firing an impromptu "pitch" towards the second base bag.

Hey, whatever works.

20. Steve Carlton

Most left handed pitchers are eccentric, aren't they?

Steve Carlton doesn't come off as a guy who would have been very eccentric in retrospect, but "Lefty" made quite a name for himself by dominating hitters and looking kind of ticked off as he did so. In fact, he went about much of his life like that, rarely smiling and acting like he always had a chip on his shoulder.

However, Philly sure does love a winner, and all Carlton did was win.

19. Tug McGraw

Long before he had come to Philadelphia, Tug McGraw had been known as one of the game's most eccentric players, and the Phillies were happy to have him. He became the team's closer and one of the better relievers of all-time, leading the Phils to a World Series title in 1980.

First and foremost, however, he helped to define today's closer. He helped build the mentality and created some long standing rituals, like pounding his glove against his thigh which he would do often. He was a man never left speechless and an all-time great Phillie.

18. Chase Utley

Chase Utley? An eccentric baseball player?

Think about it for a second and remember that we're operating by a set of criteria here. An eccentric player is a player that goes about the game in a relatively strange, or unique, style and it is safe to say that Utley does a little bit of both. He plays emotionless.

Not only does he go through each and every game without a single smile on his face, but he goes through each and every game without much emotion—period. He doesn't talk to the media, though he does curse on television, and even when he's in an argument, he does it emotionless.

Just ask Jonathan Sanchez!

17. Roy Oswalt

On the mound, Roy Oswalt is one of the most serious pitchers and fiercest competitors in all of baseball. Off the mound? Well, he is kind of strange.

Let's face facts here—starting pitchers take the mound once every five days and are forced to sit on the bench the other four. It gets boring. The veteran Oswalt has found ways to occupy his time, whether it's creeping into a Rich Dubee interview, entertaining the other starters with stories of his hunting escapades, or just goofing around, the story remains the same: Oswalt is quite the character.

16. Larry Andersen

Before he was the eccentric radio voice of the Phillies, Larry Andersen had the opportunity to be an eccentric reliever—and equally unlucky—for the Phillies twice. The quirky veteran was a member of the 1983 World Series team that lost to the Baltimore Orioles before he left town.

10 years later, he rejoined the Phillies as the bullpen's veteran arm, once again making a run at the World Series but once again, losing. That didn't stop him from being one of the team's vocal leaders as well as a jokester and all around fun guy.

15. Brett Myers

Before he became what I suppose is the "ace" of the Houston Astros, Brett Myers used to pitch for the Phillies, and I'm sure you remember he was quite a quirky guy, for better or for worse.

Though he had some low moments throughout the course of his career, Myers also had some relatively entertaining, eccentric times. He was the mastermind behind the prank that would have (and should have) sent Kyle Kendrick to Japan and drew one of the greatest walks in Phillies' history against CC Sabathia.

He was also quite the enthusiastic bunter and was the rare type of pitcher that could start and close games. It seems as though his time with the Astros has only sent his eccentricity time clock into warp-speed.

14. Darren Daulton

Darren Daulton wasn't the most eccentric guy on the 1993 Phillies team alone, so he may be overshadowed on a list like this, but don't be mistaken—"Dutch" had his moments. Though he was the vocal leader and glue that held that club together, he also marched to the beat of his own drum.

Like many of the other guys on his squads, he grew out his hair (or at least the back of it; business in the front) and didn't always appear to be in tip top shape. He partied hard with John Kruk, but always gave it his best shot on the field, and that made him a Phillies legend.

13. Shane Victorino

Shane Victorino has probably been compared to the Energizer Bunny on more than one occasion. That's because they're both small, full of energy, and fun to watch, because let's be honest, it would be really creepy if the comparison was that Victorino was pink, furry, and wore sunglasses. 

The explosive center fielder has gained a reputation of being one of most energetic, fun guys in all of baseball, but he's shown his fiery side on more than one occasion as well. Just ask Hiroki Kuroda, the San Francisco Giants, that guy who threw a beer on the avid MMA fan at Wrigley Field, or even the poor guy who was falsely accused of doing so and thrown out.

12. John Kruk

John Kruk just doesn't look like a baseball player, but he was, and quite a good one at that. He was one of the driving forces behind the 1993 Phillies and represented them with pride. Whether it was the mullet, the beer gut, or ducking out of the way of a Randy Johnson fastball that wasn't particularly close to hitting him, Kruk was always the eccentric type of guy that kept his teammates loose.

A lot of those tendencies translated into his new job as an analyst, and in the long run, that's what makes him entertaining.

11. Cesar Tovar

Cesar Tovar isn't exactly a household name among Phillies' fans, and that's understandable. After all, he was with the team for just one season. However, in that one season he managed to become one of the most eccentric Phillies of all-time.

Tovar had a heavy Spanish accent and a very upbeat personality that made him a favorite among teammates, as he always tried to lighten the mood. He once played all nine positions on the diamond, including pitcher, becoming the ultimate utility player.

Perhaps the most interesting, eccentric fact about Tovar was that he had three wives in three different countries by the time he left the Phillies, and in the off-season, donated his equipment to children in his hometown of Caracas.

10. Lenny Dykstra

Of that animated 1993 bunch, Lenny Dykstra was probably the most eccentric. It wasn't long after he was acquired from the New York Mets that he became a fan-favorite, and it wasn't hard to understand why—he was the type of player that Phillies' fans loved to cheer for.

Arguably the heart and soul of the 1993 club, Dykstra had some unique rituals. For example, he would never use the same batting gloves for practice if he was wearing them in a game, and if he was in a slump, he'd have every part of his uniform trashed and replaced.

Because he was such a great talent, it's a real shame he went off the deep end.

9. Bake McBride

If that photo doesn't tell you all you need to know about Bake McBride, I'm not sure what else I can do for you.

On a serious note (kind of), McBride was easily one of the most eccentric players the Phillies have ever seen. He had a big afro and a big, bushy beard, an awesome nickname and the way he went about the game was distinct, but cool in a retro, 70s sort of way.

When he stepped up to the box, he would kick at the dirt to erase the chalk lines (which I imagine was infuriating for the grounds crew) and though his swing was ugly, it was effective. He was kind of like Hunter Pence in that manner.

8. Jonathan Papelbon

Okay, so Jonathan Papelbon hasn't thrown a single pitch as a member of the Phillies yet, but I think it is safe to assume that he is going to be one of the most eccentric players this organization has ever seen.

Any player that has multiple personalities is eccentric enough to make this list, and it actually isn't going to be Papelbon closing out games for the Phillies, but "Cinco Ocho." He brings to the mound with him an awkward, pressure-packed stare and some high-heat.

Yes, Papelbon definitely has the closer's mind-set.

7. Dick Allen

Dick Allen was one of the most talented players to have ever signed with the Phillies. Even after a great career. you can't help but wonder if it could have been even better, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that there have always been questions about his attitude towards the game, which also help build a case for him as one of the Phils' most eccentric players.

Allen was a pain as a player. He never showed up for games on time and ticked off his managers. He fought with the opposition, teammates, and even reporters. One time, he punched a car headlight, tearing several tendons in his hand.

Assuming he lacked commitment, Phillies fans booed him and threw trash onto the field. The Phillies had no choice but to trade him, and because Curt Flood refused to join the Phils, even that was a headache.

6. Mitch Williams

Mitch Williams was born to be a closer. By the time he had joined the Phillies, he had become a full-fledged, eccentric, ninth inning reliever. Williams also rocked the mullet, like most of his teammates, and nearly fell down when finishing his delivery.

Of course, they didn't call him "Wild Thing" without a reason. In two pitches, Williams could throw a fastball right down the middle and let one go, sending it flying right by the batter's eyes.

The eccentric nature that made him a great closer would later make him an excellent analyst for the MLB Network, or entertaining, at least.

5. Hunter Pence

Where do I begin?

When the Phillies first acquired Hunter Pence, you could tell he was going an eccentric guy. He rolled up to Citizens Bank Park in a big, black SUV and stuck his head out the window, threw up the rock horns, and showed the media that he was happy to be a member of the Phillies.

That was just the beginning.

Each and every game, you can see why Pence's teammates get a kick out of him. He has one of the strangest on-deck rituals in all of baseball, looks like he's hitting off of one foot at times, and if he threw the ball any more strangely, his shoulder might pop right out of his socket.

But the answer to all of these strange antics has always been the same—he gets the job done.

4. Jay Johnstone

When Jay Johnstone couldn't find a Major League job, the Phillies offered him a Minor League deal and he was forced to accept. He joined new manager Robin Roberts' team, then based in Toledo, and built a reputation for himself among his teammates by being a sound clubhouse guy and taking on "the man."

One day, when Roberts benched a pair of guys because their batting averages were "sinking faster than the Titanic," Johnstone showed up the next day wearing a full wet suit with the words "USS Titanic" written on the front, pretending to swim across the field.

His teammates found it hilarious. Roberts? Well, not so much.

Johnstone had a number of odd habits, like shining his cleats before games and wearing strange hats. He shot of fireworks at his locker and quickly became more known by his nickname, "Moon Man." 

3. Willie Montanez

Willie Montanez was the type of player that was easy to like when he was playing for your team, but the type of player that you absolutely hated when he was on the other side of the field, and that is where his eccentric nature is derived from.

Montanez had a boatload of talent, and when he cashed in on some of that potential, he let you know. He had a number of rituals that he would do before he stepped into the batter's box, like rolling his neck and tossing the bat back and forth between his hands.

Of course, when he hit a home run he paraded so much that he made Sammy Sosa's routine look mild.

2.The Phillie Phanatic

I thought about keeping this list strictly for the players, but in the long run, you can't have a list of "eccentric Phillies" and leave the Phillie Phanatic off. After all, he has been something like the Phillies' "10th man" for a long time, and if you're talking about someone, or something, being eccentric, the Phanatic simply can't go unmentioned.

Why is he eccentric? Well, I don't think that needs much of an explanation.

Hailing from the Galapagos Islands, the Phanatic is big, fuzzy, and green. He dances on the dugout and often shoots hot dogs into the stands. When he's not riding around on his quad, he sometimes lays on top of the dugout to put a jinx on the opposing team, and his skits to mock the other team are well known.

The Phillie Phanatic—best mascot in the world.

1. Turk Wendell

At first glance, Turk Wendell seems to be nothing more than a spec in the long history of the Phillies. He was a journeyman reliever with good, but not great, numbers and forgettable success—except for the fact that he is arguably the most eccentric, superstitious baseball players of all-time.

To give you an idea of just how eccentric he was, Wendell had a number of routines he had to go through, including brushing his teeth between innings. He hopped over the baselines and chewed black licorice before each appearance. Wendell wore a necklace made out of teeth from animals he had hunted and when his contract with the New York Mets expired in 2000, he asked them to pay him $9,999,999.99.

Why?

His uniform number was 99.