50 Nuttiest Personalities in MLB History

Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, over 17,000 players have had their shot at big league glory, with each one of them yearning to make their mark on the sport in the best way possible.

Some of those players not only made their mark on the field, but with their quirky personalities as well. From zany antics in the clubhouse to their somewhat offbeat mannerisms and superstitions, many players have left their indelible mark in the minds of fans and players alike.

We at Bleacher Report will make an attempt to rank the 50 zaniest players ever, and will attempt to describe their bizarre senses of humor, their crazy, nonsensical ramblings and whatever other idiosyncrasies that qualify them for this list.

Here then are the 50 nuttiest personalities in MLB history.

50. Nick Swisher

New York Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher is clearly one of the more effervescent players currently playing in the majors.

His zest for life makes him a natural for television, and Swisher has appeared in wife Joanne Garcia’s television series Better Than You, and he also made an appearance on How I Met Your Mother in 2010.

Last week, Swisher released an album titled Believe, with proceeds from the album to benefit his charity Swish’s Wishes, a non-profit children’s organization dedicated to helping children who are facing major health issues.

49. David Ortiz

For the past several years as a member of the Boston Red Sox, David “Big Papi” Ortiz has been one of the most feared sluggers in the American League, hitting 54 home runs in 2006 to break the long-standing team record held by Jimmie Foxx.

However, Ortiz has also gained popularity with his ability to relate to his fans and the general public, and the infectious smile that he constantly wears. Ortiz has also been known to be the perpetrator of many antics that have gone on in the Red Sox clubhouse as well.

48. Jason Giambi

First baseman/designated hitter Jason Giambi is now toiling for the Colorado Rockies in the twilight of his career, but several years ago, Giambi, while a member of the New York Yankees, revealed a secret that showed a side of him, so to speak, that no one knew about.

Back in 2008, Giambi revealed that when he is mired in a deep slump, he dons a gold lamé, tiger-stripe thong under his uniform. He also shares the thong with teammates who are going through similar slumps.

Players who Giambi has shared his thong with include Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Johnny Damon, Robin Ventura and Robinson Cano.

47. Jeff Motuzas

Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen catcher Jeff Motuzas never actually played a game in the majors, toiling in the minors with the New York Yankees before retiring as a player in 1996.

However, Motuzas has clearly made his mark as one of the quirkiest personalities in the major leagues nonetheless. Moutuzas has been known to eat just about anything on a dare from Diamondbacks players, and visiting players as well.

Motuzas has been paid quite well by players, who generally pool money together to see exactly what Motuzas will eat, which in the past has included an entire can of horseradish, wasabi, and on one occasion, he even ate something that came out of a player’s nose.

Considering the average bullpen catcher makes about $60,000 a year, Motuzas has taken the money paid to him by players to pay down his mortgage and put it towards his kids’ college education.

Not surprisingly, Motuzas has rightfully earned the nickname "The Human Garbage Can."

46. Charlie Kerfeld

Relief pitcher Charlie Kerfeld had a brief career in the majors, spending parts of four seasons with the Houston Astros before ending his career in 1990 with the Atlanta Braves.

Kerfeld was well known for several zany antics. While with the Astros, he wore a Jetsons t-shirt under his uniform, partially because the Jetson family’s dog was named Astro.

Kerfeld also asked for and received a contract in 1987 for $110,037.37 plus 37 boxes of orange Jell-O.

Oh yeah, and he occasionally would be seen in the Astros bullpen wearing a Conehead hat, along with fellow relievers Larry Andersen and Dave Smith.

45. A.J. Pierzynski

To say that Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski has a colorful personality would be a vast understatement.

Pierzynski, currently in his seventh season with the White Sox, is also a wrestler with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Pierzynski is also known for his volatile personality on the baseball field as well. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was quoted as saying, "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less."

44. Lenny Dykstra

During the 12-year career of center fielder Lenny Dykstra, he became known as “Nails” for his tenacious style of play.

Never a moment went by when Dykstra couldn’t be seen with a huge wad of tobacco in the side of his mouth, and he developed a reputation for running through walls as well.

Dykstra was well known for his life a hard partier as well. In 1991, Dykstra was driving his Mercedes Benz when he drove into a tree in Radner Township, Pa., after attending the bachelor party of teammate John Kruk.

Dykstra spent two months on the disabled list, and also caused severe injuries to his passenger, Phillies catcher Darren Daulton. Dykstra’s blood alcohol content at the time was 0.179, nearly twice the legal limit.

Dykstra was also cited for racist comments in 2009, when he owned The Players Club magazine. Dykstra was quoted as saying:

"Nobody can call me a racist: I put three darkies and a b---h on my first four covers." The first four Players Club magazine covers featured Derek Jeter, Chris Paul, Tiger Woods and Danica Patrick.

"What was that, Lenny?" former photo editor Kevin Coughlin asked into the phone.

"I said I put three spearchuckers on the cover!" he said Dykstra replied.

43. Moises Alou

Outfielder Moises Alou enjoyed a nice 17-year career in the majors, hitting 332 home runs with a .303 lifetime average when he retired in 2008.

Alou was one of the very few ballplayers who played without the use of baseball gloves during his career. However, it was later revealed that Alou would urinate directly on his hands in order to toughen them up.

Alou was also well known for pranking his teammates, especially if he caught them sleeping in the clubhouse.

42. Logan Morrison

Florida Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison has yet to play a full season in the majors, being sent down to the minors last Saturday night.

Morrison has already become one of the favorites in the social media world, with his many ramblings on Twitter. Morrison has not been afraid to publicly call out Marlins’ shortstop Hanley Ramirez, and was very outspoken when the Marlins fired hitting coach John Mallee after a long Marlins losing streak.

Could it be possible that the Marlins were sending a message to Morrison by sending him down? Was it his mouth more than his level of play that got him demoted?

No doubt that Morrison will be seen again on the major league level, and fans will once again be entertained by the opinions and ramblings of Lo-Mo.

41. Kevin Millar

First baseman/designated hitter Kevin Millar had already established a pretty good career by the time he joined the Boston Red Sox in 2003. However, Millar’s time in Boston established him as one of the bubbliest personalities in MLB.

Millar is widely credited with coming up with the phrase “cowboy up” during the Red Sox run in the playoffs in 2003, and the following year, he referred to his teammates as a band of “idiots” to help keep them loose while in the middle of the 2004 pennant race.

Millar now teams with Chris Rose on the MLB Network show Intentional Talk, where his humor and banter with other players during interviews has become a favorite on the network.

40. Casey Stengel

Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel won seven World Series championships as the skipper of the New York Yankees, including five in a row (1949-1953).

However, Stengel is also remembered for his remarkable sense of humor and outlook on the game itself. When asked about his previous managing stints with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves, Stengel said, "I became a major league manager in several cities and was discharged. We call it discharged because there is no question I had to leave."

Baseball writers came to love Stengel for his zany outlook on all things baseball, which prompted the term “Stengelese,” referring to Casey’s unique way of looking at baseball.

Later, when managing the New York Mets, Stengel was asked about two prospects on his team. Stengel replied, "See that fellow over there? He's 20 years old. In 10 years, he has a chance to be a star. Now, that fellow over there, he's 20, too. In 10 years, he has a chance to be 30."

Source: Einstein, Charles (1968). The Third Fireside Book of Baseball.

39. Sean Casey

During first baseman Sean Casey’s career with the Cincinnati Reds, he fast became known as The Mayor.

While many associate his nickname with the tremendous amount of charity work Casey performed during his career, it was also because of his penchant to chat up every player who reached first base when he was manning the bag.

Oftentimes Casey could be seen talked animatedly with players at first base, and it was said that Casey would actually get offended if a runner took off for second base while in the middle of their conversation.

38. Johnny Damon

Outfielder Johnny Damon is in Tampa Bay winding down a career which has seen him collect almost 2,700 hits. However, Damon is also well known for being one of the band of “idiots” for the Boston Red Sox.

Damon certainly earned the moniker, sporting long hair past his shoulders and adopting the scruffy look that would have made him feel right at home in any dark bar or alley along with the homeless.

Damon would later have to clean up his look upon joining the New York Yankees in 2006 and conforming to owner George Steinbrenner’s short hair and facial hair policy.

37. Carl Everett

To say that outfielder Carl Everett’s time with the Boston Red Sox was tumultuous would be akin to saying that Babe Ruth was just a fair home run hitter.

In 2000, Everett served a 10-game suspension after bumping heads with umpire Ron Kulpa when he took issue with Kulpa warning him about his batting stance.

In later years, Everett’s mouth got him in trouble. On one occasion, Everett said that being hated is what motivates him. On another occasion, Everett told Maxim magazine in 2005 that while he knows he has had teammates who were gay, he was completely against homosexuality.

“Gays being gay is wrong. Two women can't produce a baby, two men can't produce a baby, so it's not how it's supposed to be. … I don't believe in gay marriages. I don't believe in being gay,” Everett said.

Everett also completely alienated the city of Chicago when he said that Wrigley Field should be “imploded.”

36. Jose Lima

Starting pitcher Jose Lima had a long yet undistinguished career in the majors, compiling a record of 89-102 with a 5.26 ERA in 13 seasons with five teams. Lima was a 20-game winner with the Houston Astros in 1999.

Lima’s claim to baseball fame came through his quirky personality. Lima often referred to his outings as Lima Time, and would often anger opposing players with his enthusiastic displays of emotion on the mound.

Lima liked to think he was a decent musician as well, prompting New York Times reporter Ben Shpigel to proclaim Lima as "the national anthem-crooning, towel-waving merengue singer who moonlights as a right-handed pitcher.”

Lima died in May 2010 of an apparent heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. Lima was 37.

35. J.J. Putz

When Arizona Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz enters a game, usually in the ninth inning, he trots to the mound from the bullpen with the stadium speakers blaring the AC/DC song Thunderstruck, and in 2011, opposing batters have been thunderstruck as well, posting 29 saves along with a 2.91 for the NL West-leading D-Backs.

But Putz apparently has a goofy side as well. Up until about the sixth inning or so, before Putz starts stretching and putting his game face on, he has become one of the leading pranksters and jokers in the D-Backs bullpen.

In one particular instance, Putz placed an object on teammate Joe Saunders’ cap without him even realize what was going on. The image actually made its way through the Internet for a while as well.

34. Lefty Gomez

Lefty Gomez is remembered for the being the ace of the New York Yankees staff throughout the 1930s, with four 20-win seasons, appearances in the first seven MLB All-Star games and collecting 189 wins in 13 seasons.

However, Gomez was also known for his colorful personality, and in one particular game against the Cleveland Indians, Gomez was at his best.

Facing the fireballer Bob Feller on a foggy day, Gomez came up to the plate to face Gomez, bring a matchbook with him.

When he lit a match at the batter’s box, the home plate umpire screamed at Gomez, "What's the big idea? Do you think that match will help you see Feller's fast one?"

Gomez replied, "No, I'm not concerned about that, I just want to make sure he can see me!"

Source: Baseball Almanac

33. Tommy Lasorda

When Tommy Lasorda took over as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1976, he was replacing the legendary Walter Alston, who had skippered the Dodgers for 22 seasons. Lasorda lasted almost as long, retiring in 1996 after suffering a heart attack.

As their manager, Lasorda was not just a knowledgeable baseball man, he was colorful at the same time.

Lasorda resorted to whatever tactics he could think of to motivate his charges, and was easily one of the best interviews among managers during his time.

32. Jay Johnstone

Throughout the 20-year career of outfielder/pinch hitter Jay Johnstone, he was invaluable to his team for his versatility, able to play all three outfield positions and lend a great bat in a pinch.

Johnstone is also remembered for his many pranks and gags pulled on teammates, including:

• Placing a soggy brownie inside Steve Garvey's first base mitt
• Setting teammate's cleats on fire (known as "hot-footing")
• Cutting out the crotch area of Rick Sutcliffe's underwear
• Locking Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda in his office during spring training
• Dressing up as a groundskeeper and sweeping the Dodger Stadium infield in between innings
• Nailing teammate's cleats to the floor
• Replacing the celebrity photos in manager Lasorda's office with pictures of himself, Jerry Reuss and Don Stanhouse

After Johnstone’s career ended, he became a broadcaster, when he once covered a microphone with stale egg scent, and went on to interview Dave Stewart, Mickey Hatcher and other players.

31. Fernando Rodney

Relief pitcher Fernando Rodney made his mark with the Detroit Tigers, saving 37 games in 2009 before signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Rodney is also one of the more eccentric personalities in the Angels’ clubhouse, and in spring training Rodney starred in a video showing fellow pitcher Ervin Santana how to wear a cap the “Rodney Way.”

30. Alfredo Aceves

When the Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Alfredo Aceves to a free agent contract in February 2011, they had an idea how good he was, but they couldn’t have possibly known how valuable he would prove to be.

Thus far, Aceves is 8-1 with a 3.26 ERA and has proven his worth in spot starts as well as middle and long relief.

To give you an idea how quirky Aceves is, he wears the No. 91 in honor of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who was about the nuttiest guy ever to play basketball.

29. Dick Stuart

First baseman Dick Stuart was a pretty decent hitter over his 10-year career, hitting 228 home runs with a career .267. But his fielding was definitely not his strong suit, earning him the nickname “Dr. Strangeglove.”

Stuart still holds the record for committing the most errors in one season ever by a first baseman, set back in 1963.

Stuart was never considered the brightest bulb on the tree, and he was well aware of it, commenting once, “They graduated me from high school because I hit .450.”

When Stuart first broke in with the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Danny Murtaugh took one look at his fielding skills and immediately hired former first baseman George Sisler to work with Stuart, to which Stuart replied, “They oughtta just let me hit and let George field. The man who busts Babe Ruth’s record will be a millionaire. They ain’t payin’ off on fielded ground balls.”

Source: Baseball Digest

28. Brian Wilson

Teammates and opposing players may have known about the personality of San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson before last year, but during the 2010 playoffs and World Series, everyone in the country got a closer look at the colorful Wilson.

While not only one of the best closers in the National League, Wilson’s larger than life personality has fast become a fan favorite. Wilson’s work with the MLB: Always Epic campaign and his Fear the Beard fan following has catapulted Wilson among baseball’s most colorful and quirky personalities.

27. Pedro Martinez

While fans look back at the stretch of time during the late 1990s and early-to-mid 2000s when Pedro Martinez was easily one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, they also remember Martinez as a jokester who reveled in keeping loose between starts.

Martinez also enjoyed his fun times, allowing Red Sox teammates to tie him to a dugout pole in Fenway Park during a game, and also befriending fellow Dominican and actor Nelson de la Rosa, who was one of the shortest men in history, measuring just 2 feet 4 inches tall.

People began to refer to de la Rosa as “Pedro’s midget,” and became famous in Boston for being Martinez’ good luck charm during the 2004 MLB playoffs.

De la Rosa died in 2006 from heart failure at the age of 38.

26. Steve Lyons

With four teams over nine seasons, Steve Lyons proved to be useful for his diversity, playing the outfield as well as third base and first base.

Lyons gained notoriety for his quirky ways, earning him the nickname “Psycho.” While playing first base, Lyons could often be seen playing tic-tac-toe or hangman with his cleats in the infield dirt.

However, it was a game in 1990 that Lyons is most remembered for. While playing for the Chicago White Sox against the Detroit Tigers, Lyons slid head-first into first base to beat out a bunt.

After getting up, Lyons proceeded to drop his pants to shake all the dirt out, without even realizing he was doing it in front of about 14,000 fans and a televised audience.

For the rest of the game, single women were seen throwing dollar bills at Lyons between innings.

25. Eric Byrnes

Throughout Eric Byrnes’ 11-year career in the majors, one would be hard-pressed to find a man who played with more passion. Byrnes became known as Crash Test Dummy for his hustling style of play.

Byrnes also had one of the more outgoing personalities in baseball. After retiring from baseball in May 2010, Byrnes parlayed that personality into radio and TV fame, hosting his own show on XM radio, and becoming an analyst for MLB Network, where Byrnes’ obvious enthusiasm can be seen on a regular basis.

24. John Rocker

Relief pitcher John Rocker had his chance to shine as a closer for the Atlanta Braves in the late 1990s-early 2000s, but unfortunately, he also had his chance to shine as a complete idiot as well.

Rocker sat down with Sports Illustrated for a candid interview, and Sports Illustrated got a whole lot more than candid comments from Rocker. When asked whether he would ever play in New York, Rocker did not hold back.

"I would retire first. It's the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing." 

On New York City itself: "The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?" 

23. Willie Stargell

For 21 seasons, Willie “Pops” Stargell was a larger-than-life personality in Pittsburgh, leading them to the World Series championship in 1979, and hitting 475 home runs during his fabulous career.

Stargell also knew exactly what to do to keep his fellow teammates loose, and his ability to bring teammates together for a common goal was his biggest attribute.

“He changed the tone of baseball,” said Hall of Fame New York Post sportswriter Maury Allen. “Baseball clubhouses are always a little edgy. There’s usually some racial overtones. Stargell loved everybody. He was as comfortable with white players as he was with black players, which is rare.

“In all the years I’ve covered baseball, I’ve never seen a more joyous group than the 1979 `we are family’ Pirates. Willie was as good on bad days as good days. He always had a smile on his face. He had a classically poor, minority background, but he was just such an open guy.”

22. Kevin Rhomberg

For outfielder and pinch runner Kevin Rhomberg, his time in baseball was very brief, playing in parts of three seasons with the Cleveland Indians in just 41 games, but with a very impressive batting average of .383.

However, Rhomberg clearly had an OCD aspect to his personality. Whenever Rhomberg was touched by another player, he had to touch them back.

Sort of like a never-ending game of Tag, You're It.

21. Yogi Berra

New York Yankees catcher and left fielder Yogi Berra has had a life filled with "Yogiisms." While many of the words that came out of his mouth were not controversial by nature, they were irreverent and classic.

Here are just a few that the great Hall of Fame catcher uttered.

"All pitchers are liars or crybabies."

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."

I could go on and on; however, there are Yogi books available...

20. Ryan Dempster

During the eight seasons that pitcher Ryan Dempster has spent with the Chicago Cubs, he has shown both his versatility and his durability, saving 85 games between 2005-07 and then moving back to the starting rotation in 2008, where he has rarely missed a start and has won 53 games during that span.

Dempster has also shown off his outgoing personality to the Cubs fans, often engaging them in conversations during a game.

Dempster was once asked what would happen if the Cubs ever win a World Series.

He replied by saying, "I'd say the top of the Budweiser building blows off. People storm the field. Huge chunks of ivy are ripped off the walls. Police cars are turned over on Addison, on Waveland, on Sheffield, and you can't walk within a 45-block radius of Wrigley Field because people will be drinking there for seven to 10 days. What a great feeling."

Dempster also does a very impressive Harry Caray impersonation, once rattling off the Cubs' starting lineup while speaking in an older Caray voice before a nationally televised baseball game on FOX.

19. Ozzie Guillen

When Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen holds court, it's a must-see event—one just never knows what Ozzie is going to say or talk about.

His ramblings on Twitter during a game earlier this season landed him in hot water, not to mention a two-game suspension. And Ozzie has never been shy about calling out players, or the entire team when necessary.

18. Dirk Hayhurst

For pitcher Dirk Hayhurst, getting back to the majors is his biggest goal. Making 25 appearances for both the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays in 2008-09, Hayhurst was injured last year, and is now with the Tampa Bay Rays' Triple-A affiliate trying to work his way back.

However, Hayhurst has shown off his writing chops, along with his personality, in a book written last year titled The Bullpen Gospels, prompting former MSNBC Countdown host Keith Olbermann to call it "one of the best baseball books written in 40 years."

The book debuted in March 2010 on the Paperback NonFiction New York Times Best Sellers List at No. 19, and Hayhurst has already written another book titled "Out of my League," scheduled to be in bookstores in April 2012.

17. Joe Charboneau

As quickly as Joe Charboneau's star shined brightly in 1980, winning American League Rookie of the Year honors, it fizzled just as quickly as well, with Charboneau being out of baseball by the end of the 1982 season.

However, Charboneau left his mark. His personality quickly came to the forefront, with stories about how Charboneau would dye his hair unnatural colors, open beer bottles with his eye socket, drink beer with a straw through his nose, and other stories coming out about how he did his own dental work and fixed a broken nose with a pair of pliers and a few shots of Jack Daniel's whiskey.

He even had a local hit song written about him, titled Go Joe Charboneau.

16. Jimmy Piersall

When center fielder Jimmy Piersall broke into the majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1950, he was considered to be their heir apparent to incumbent Dom DiMaggio. However, in 1952 after a failed experiment at shortstop, Piersall suffered a nervous breakdown.

His breakdown, featured in his book Fear Strikes Out, was later turned into a hit movie starring Anthony Perkins as Piersall. Piersall went on to play until 1967, retiring as a member of the California Angels.

15. Wade Boggs

Third baseman Wade Boggs was a prolific hitter, amassing 3,010 hits with a lifetime .328 batting average, retiring in 1999 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Boggs was definitely one of the most superstitious players of his era, known for only eating chicken before each game, was once rumored to have drank 64 bottles of beer on a cross-country flight, and took exactly 150 ground balls during each pre-game warmup.

14. Larry Walker

Right fielder Larry Walker enjoyed a great 18-year career with the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, hitting 383 home runs and ending up with a lifetime batting average of .313.

Walker was also completely obsessed with the number 3.

He wore number 33, was married on Nov. 3 at 3:33, and he would take three, or any multiple of three, swings in the batter's box before he would hit.

Is it any wonder that his home run totals and lifetime batting average would both have the number 3 twice?

13. Satchel Paige

When pitcher Satchel Paige finally broke into the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1948, one year after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Paige electrified crowds at Municipal Stadium, setting attendance records on several occasions.

Famous for his hesitation pitch, it was eventually ruled illegal by American League president Will Harridge, to which Paige replied, "I guess Mr. Harridge did not want me to show up those boys who were young enough to be my sons."

Paige threw mostly fastballs during his career, naming the different variations as the Bat Dodger, Midnight Rider, Midnight Creeper, Jump Ball and Trouble Ball. But there was no mistaking that they were all fastballs that were practically unhittable.

In a June 1953 Collier's magazine article, Paige listed his six steps to good living:

1. "Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood."
2. "If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts."
3. "Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move."
4. "Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society—the social ramble ain't restful."
5. "Avoid running at all times."
6. "And don't look back—something might be gaining on you."

Paige also used axle grease to rub down his pitching arm after a game as well.

12. Reggie Jackson

Throughout his career, outfielder and slugger Reggie Jackson was definitely his own man.

Here are just a few of the memorable quotes by Jackson over the years:

"After Jackie Robinson, the most important black in baseball history is Reggie Jackson, I really mean that." Source: Life (January 1988)

"Hitting is better than sex." Source: Esquire (March 1, 1978)

"I am the best in baseball." Source: Reggie (Reggie Jackson, 1984)

"I'm the straw that stirs the drink."

"In the building I live in on Park Avenue, there are 10 people who could buy the Yankees, but none of them could hit the ball out of Yankee Stadium."

"The only difference between me and those other great Yankees is my skin color." Source: High Inside (Gagnon Torrez)

"The only reason I don't like playing in the World Series is I can't watch myself play."

"The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint."

Now THAT is personality.

Source: Baseball Almanac

11. Harry Caray

For the many years that Harry Caray broadcast baseball games, he is most associated with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he called games from 1981 until the end of his career.

Most noted for his "homer" style, similar to that of current White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson, Caray was unabashed in his criticism of the play on the field when it warranted it as well.

Caray's singing of the seventh-inning stretch song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," actually started while he was with the Chicago White Sox, but he brought it to Wrigley Field with him.

10. Rabbit Maranville

During a 23-year career in which Rabbit Maranville became one of the best shortstops in history, he was also just as well known for the many pranks pulled on players.

Among some of them:

One night he went through a Pullman car dumping water on sleeping players' heads, saying, "No sleeping under Maranville management, especially at night."

One night, Maranville was out on the street outside Ebbets Field in Brooklyn mimicking a newsboy hawking papers. He cried out, "Read all about it! Maranville fired!"

Turns out Maranville was prophetic as well. He was fired the very next day by the Cubs.

9. Manny Ramirez

When Manny Ramirez suddenly retired from the Tampa Bay Rays in April, the world was saddened, realizing that there would be no more "Manny being Manny."

Well, saddened may be a little presumptuous, but the many Mannyisms and acts over the years were finally starting to wear thin, especially after revelations about the use of PEDs and suspensions for violating the MLB drug policy.

But, the baseball world will always remember Manny being Manny.

8. Nyjer Morgan

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Nyjer Morgan's excitement and exuberance has quickly taken hold in Milwaukee. Currently hitting .317, Morgan has proven to be a spark plug in the Brewers offense.

However, Morgan has also become quite the cut-up as well.

With his alter ego, Tony Plush, Morgan keeps teammates and media personnel alike constantly atwitter with his nonsensical ramblings, screaming at will at the top of his lungs in the middle of an interview, and once acting as a security thug for teammates Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder while they were being interviewed by MLB Network's Intentional Talk.

Morgan's young, but the nutty personality is clearly developing quickly.

7. Billy Martin

The irascible Billy Martin was known for a lot of things during his 20-year managerial career—his ability to make winners, his penchant for getting into arguments with players and owners, his famous dugout fight with slugger Reggie Jackson, his wild drinking binges, and getting fired by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner 1,769 times.

Well, it was only five times, but it sure seemed like a lot more than that.

6. Dizzy Dean

To say that St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dizzy Dean was an electrifying, fireballing pitcher during the 1930s whose career was cut far too short would be an accurate statement.

To say that Dean had an absolutely nutty personality would also be quite accurate as well.

Dean had absolutely no problem bragging about his abilities and then being able to back it up.

In 1934, Dean boldly predicted that he and his brother Paul would win 45 games combined. Later that year in a doubleheader, Dean threw a three-hit shutout in the first game, and his brother Paul outdid him by throwing a no-hitter in the second game.

After the game, during which Dizzy won his 27th and Paul his 18th, matching Dizzy's prediction, he said, "Gee, Paul, if I'd a-known you was gonna throw a no-hitter, I'd a-thrown one, too!"

On another occasion during a particularly hot day at Sportsman's Park, with the temperature reaching the 100s, Dean set up a campfire in front of the dugout, and Dean was wrapped up in a blanket.

5. Dock Ellis

There were a number of "quirky" incidents during the career of Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Dock Ellis, but really just one alone qualifies him for this list.

Years after throwing a no-hitter in 1970, Ellis admitted that he was high on LSD during the game.

Is there really anything else that needs to be added?

4. Al Hrabosky

During Al Hrabosky's career as a relief pitcher/closer, he made it a point to look and act as scary as possible, trying to give himself an edge over the hitters.

Between every pitch, Hrabosky would turn his back to the batter, walk toward second base, rub the ball frantically, take a deep breath and slam the ball into his mitt. When he toed the rubber, he’d stare down the batter and deliver his pitch.

To say that he wasn't well-liked would be an understatement.

3. Mark Fidrych

When Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mark Fidrych made his debut in 1976, he became an instant sensation, posting a record of 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA, winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award and finishing second in the voting for the Cy Young Award.

Fidrych would win only 10 more games in his career, finally flaming out in 1980, however, Fidrych also left an indelible mark with his personality.

Fidrych would constantly manicure the area around the pitchers' mound, continually talk to himself and to the ball, aim his ball like an arrow towards a target, and throw balls back to the home-plate umpire, insisting that those ball had hits in them, and demanding that the balls be removed for the entire game.

2. Rube Waddell

Left-hander Rube Waddell was a pretty fair pitcher in his day, amassing 193 wins in 14 seasons with five different teams.

However, Waddell had one particular peculiarity that just couldn't go unnoticed.

Waddell would hear a fire-truck siren in the distance and would leave the dugout in the middle of a game so that he could chase the fire truck to the scene of the fire.

Oh yeah, and he wrestled alligators during the offseason.

1. Turk Wendell

There really should be no question that former relief pitcher Turk Wendell deserves top billing on this list.

Once named the most superstitious athlete in any sport, Wendell's long list of quirky behavior patterns included:

• Hopping over the base lines in an exaggerated way on the way to and from the dugout.

• Brushing his teeth between innings.

• Wearing necklaces of the teeth of animals he had hunted.

• Asking for his contract with the New York Mets to amount to $9,999,999.99 in honor of his No. 99 uniform.

There were actually quite a few others as well, but just these examples alone puts him at the top of our list.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.