The Curious Characters In The Show

There are times when sports are taken too seriously. People debate them, choose sides and beat certain storylines to death. It can get tiring to hear. People expect players to be sure of things or act in a certain way, and forget they are real living people. My favorite thing to watch is an athlete that recognizes their individuality and doesn’t compromise for it. Maybe that makes them strange at times, but it sure as hell makes the game more interesting. Here are some of my favorites players to watch, not just because of their talent but because of the innate weirdness they bring to the game. 

Houston Astros SP Zack Greinke

SP Zack Greinke may be the poster boy for eccentric and abnormal behavior from a professional baseball player. Once a top prospect, Greinke struggled with the lifestyle that came with being a starter in MLB, leading him to consider walking away from the game at one point early in his career. He even begged to be switched to a full-time shortstop so he could play every day instead of every fifth day, which was too dull for him.

I remember watching his awkward introductory press conference when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and thinking, “this has got to be the best player in the league.” His uncanny ability to be himself at all times had even led me, a Dodgers fan, to stay a fan of his when he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Currently in his 18th season, Greinke is still one of the most fun athletes to watch as he tips his own pitches, sits and watches the ground crew, hangs out alone in the stands between innings, and throws 50 mph curveballs. Also, did I mention his wife was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Miss Daytona Beach 2008? It all just seems to fall into place. 

Cincinatti Reds 1B Joey Votto

Much like Greinke, 1B Joey Votto is an interesting character that just happens to be ridiculously good at baseball — his stretch of play from 2010 to 2018 alone is ridiculous by any conventional hitting standard. Speaking of unconventional stats, he also popped out only seven times in that span, and never to a catcher, first baseman or pitcher. Just sensational for the lefty from Toronto. 

His quirkiness goes beyond his phenomenal talent. Being a first baseman, like any other, he chats up anyone that happens to step on his base, but his conversations are reportedly different and much stranger than the average. Additionally, per an article from The Athletic, he reads medical journals, went from a Mercedes to a minivan and has ballroom danced next to stripper poles for an entire night. That’s just the way we like him. There is nothing better than an enigmatic personality and player that is not only fun to watch on the field but keeps you on your toes off it. 

Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Tony Gonsolin

RHP Tony “the cat man” Gonsolin may not have as much time in the league as others on this list, or have as many confirmed oddities. However, his one obsession runs so deep that it is impossible to ignore. Gonsolin is a crazy old cat lady trapped in the body of a 25-year-old professional baseball player.

He earned the nickname after showing his obsession by wearing a different cat shirt every Saturday during his rookie year. Eventually called “Caturday,” many of his Dodger teammates soon took part in the tradition, including manager Dave Roberts and RHP Joe Kelly. His popularity has also come from his quality pitching performances and talent — he finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in the shortened 2020 season. All-in-all, Gonsolin is just a pro ball player with a kind of goofy love that he shares with the world. Not that I would expect anything less from someone who is from Vacaville, California.

Tochigi Golden Braves IF Munenori Kawasaki

Even at the ripe old age of 39, IF Munenori Kawasaki is still a pro ballplayer, and I will not be denied an opportunity to talk about him. Kawasaki was, without a doubt, one of my favorites during his time in MLB. He started with the Seattle Mariners in 2012, went to the Toronto Blue Jays for a couple of years and eventually played with the Chicago Cubs until 2016. He has since gone back oversees to play in pro baseball leagues in Japan and Taiwan. 

He may have never been an all-star, but he was always one of the funniest players to follow; not necessarily because he was strange, but because of his upbeat and exciting personality. Hilarious interviews, entertaining dugout antics, strange dances and odd pre-game routines made him an unforgettable character. When he was giving an interview, it was impossible to keep a straight face. There is no shortage of great content from his time in the league, and watching just a few minutes of it will show you how unique he was.

Washington Nationals OF Juan Soto

OF Juan Soto is not strange in the same way as the others on this list, wherein he’s giving off different vibes, but more so for the mind games he plays in the batter’s box. The “Soto Shuffle” he does is more entertaining to me than any bat flip or stare down. It messes with the pitcher, getting into their heads while also seemingly making himself more comfortable. 

Whatever it is, it works, as he’s one of the most exciting young players in the league — in fact, he racked up 69 home runs in his first three seasons. Even more interesting than that is that they were evenly hit to each field — 23 to left, 23 to right and 23 to center. It’s even more exciting because watching him develop as a player reminds me of what it was like to watch OF Yasiel Puig in his early years, but with tons more potential. 

Professional athletes and celebrities are pictured as larger than life, but they’re just ordinary people. They have quirks and maybe some flaws, but that’s what makes them relatable and fan favorites. Honorable mentions go to OF Hunter Pence, OF Nick Swisher and RHP Brian Wilson, who made the game fun to watch before they retired. I also want to emphasize I’m not making fun of any of these guys. No one should; they bring a freshness to the game that is needed and enjoyable, allowing you to let go of all those preconceived notions of what a professional athlete is or should be. 

Cover photo courtesy of Denis Poroy/Getty Images.