MLB: 7 Players Who Should Have Their Own Soap Opera

They say there's no better drama than baseball in October. While that's definitely true, it certainly isn't the only dramatic situation that happens in the game during the length of the season. 

Baseball players are symbols of athleticism, skill and teamwork. And then there are some who have other characteristics of note. 

Though the number may not be as high in the NFL or NBA, the MLB has a large number of drama-ridden players who constantly need the spotlight, whether it's good or bad coverage. 

Here are the players who could pick up a career acting in a soap opera after their playing days are over. 

B.J. Upton

This guy could really be one of the greats if he just tried. Instead, Upton's career of ups and downs has left us with a bunch of questions. 

How good could this guy be if he put in the extra effort? What is it going to take for us to see Upton's full potential? At this rate, we may never know the answers to those questions. 

Upton has put up decent numbers since coming up for the Rays in 2004, but they are just not what everyone expected of him as a prospect. He is known for his attitude just as much as he is for his bat. 

Tampa manager Joe Maddon has had to bench Upton on several occasions for lack of hustle or care. All that notoriety would make Upton a star on daytime television. 

Francisco Rodriguez

Since coming up with the 2002 World Series Champion Angels, Francisco Rodriguez has been one of the league's most dominating closers. That is, until he lost his mind. 

Rodriguez seemed to leave his best days behind him in Anaheim, where he recorded the MLB record for saves in a year in 2008. He then bolted to NYC for a shot at the limelight, which is what he got for all the wrong reasons. 

K-Rod simply wasn't his former self in New York, both on the diamond and off it. He got into numerous heated exchanges with members of the coaching staff. He has had to be separated from members of an opposing team during batting practice. 

The grandaddy of them all came last season in New York when he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend's father, tearing a ligament in his thumb in the process and ending his season. 

Earlier this year, Rodriguez was shipped to Milwaukee to dump salary. There, all he has done is complain about not being the closer until the Brewers were recently eliminated in the NLCS. 

I hope Rodriguez gets back to a major market, because this drama must be documented off the field too. 

David Ortiz

David Ortiz is a man known for his dramatic success in the clutch. His playoff performance in 2004 against the Yankees will go down in Boston lore. 

Ortiz, however, doesn't only create drama on the field. He was involved in an altercation with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg earlier this season. Ortiz felt Gregg was pitching inside too much and rushed the mound. 

Ortiz's fighting looked like that of one of America's favorite dramas: professional wrestling. Big Papi was unable to land a punch and received a three-game suspension after the brawl. 

Other drama Ortiz has been involved with includes his drug test failure in 2003. Ortiz, taking a cue from big leaguers before him, said he unknowingly took performance-enhancing drugs and that the failed test may be as a result of the vitamins he takes. 

That sort of cheap acting and Ortiz's infectious attitude would be perfect on Days of Our Lives. 

Carlos Zambrano

I believe that after years and years of anger management and evaluation by professionals, Carlos Zambrano would be great on a drama. 

After all, that is the life he lives. Zambrano has been suspended numerous times while in a Cubs uniform for anger issues. He has nearly come to blows with former teammates like Derrek Lee and Michael Barret. 

This season, after giving up five home runs against the Atlanta Braves on August 12, Zambrano was ejected for throwing two inside pitches to Chipper Jones. 

He subsequently cleaned out his locker and told the Cubs he was retiring. The Ricketts family is still trying to figure out what to make of the mess. 

Cameras should start rolling; the show is already there. 

Nyjer Morgan

Any show featuring Nyjer Morgan as its lead would most certainly have to be classified as a comedic drama. 

Morgan is a funny guy, but it often irks his opponents and purists of the game. He is currently on his third team, the Brewers, after burning bridges in Pittsburgh and D.C. 

"Tony Plush" seems to be beloved by only those in the state of Wisconsin as it stands right now. After calling the Cardinals out on Twitter saying they won't make the playoffs, losing to them in the NLCS may make Nyjer Morgan refrain from making such brash statements in the future. 

Don't believe it? Neither do I. Anyway you look at it, Morgan has left us with some great moments to talk about thus far in his career. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Alex Rodriguez

Where do I begin?

After countless stories of his personal life were publicized—a divorce, a relationship with Madonna and being fed popcorn by Cameron Diaz during the Super Bowl—we know more about what's going on in Alex Rodriguez's life than we do our own. And that's just off the field. 

On the diamond, we've seen A-Rod become one of the best players of our generation. That title surely has gotten to Rodriguez's head. He has signed two $200 million contract, the second coming after his first deal was restructured. $25 million a year just doesn't go as far as it used to. 

Rodriguez's name has also been dragged through the mud for his steroid use, which he admitted to Katie Couric in an interview. A-Rod claimed he had done it only between 2001-2003, during his time with the Texas Rangers. Something tells me he may be fabricating that timeline. 

Rodriguez now is in the twilight of his career. Once his playing days are done in a few years, he must return to the limelight on a soap opera. If Rodriguez has anything to do with it, you won't be forgetting his name for quite some time. 

Brian Wilson

Wilson, like Morgan, would definitely need to be on a "dramedy." 

Brian Wilson, one of the more eccentric baseball personalities of late, would be perfect on a soap opera. He's a closer, so he's always involved in dramatic situations at the end of the game. 

Wilson has been refining his acting chops lately, appearing in numerous commercials, including one for Taco Bell. He made a splash at this year's ESPYs, donning a spandex tuxedo that undoubtedly was the sharpest outfit at the whole gala. 

What Wilson would bring to the set of a soap opera are the intangibles. He's not like any other soap star out there. He's got a mohawk, a beard that would make your grandfather cry and a personality that would make him beloved on the soap circuit. 

When Wilson is done closing out games and decides to retire, he should take his drama to the small screen. That's a soap opera even I'd watch.