Sports legends: The major leagues have produced some major personalities

Fifteen weeks into the global pandemic, the back-and-forth between Major League Baseball and its players union seems to have no end in sight, the National Basketball Association’s proposed rule changes sound like a cartoonish parody, and the National Football League remains quiet as virus concerns stretch further into the future than anyone anticipated. While auto racing and some golf have begun to return, the world of sports and its fans have taken a blow (somewhere just below the belt) on top of the abject suffering caused by this pandemic.

In lieu of speculating what may or may not return, let’s look back at the players who brought life to the game, whose personalities are topped only by their talents, and the ways a special few athletes have become more than the numbers.

When you’re talking larger than life, it only makes sense to start with seven-foot-one Lakers legend Shaquille O’neal. Shaq’s endearing sense of humor, infamously ridiculous smack-talk and unprecedented physical dominance turned the backboard busting center into an icon. In his “Shaqtin’ A Fool” segment on “Inside the NBA,” Shaq pokes fun at other athletes’ poorly thought-out plays, and often his own as well. Despite his ruthless teasing of Charles Barkley,

O’neal is famously kind (as long as you don’t steal his nickname, Dwight Howard) and created a more affordable alternative to the famous Air Jordan sneakers, so kids who can’t afford the highpriced Nikes would have cool shoes, too.

Baseball players are a notoriously superstitious bunch, and MLB has no shortage of out-there personalities for a sport that is often criticized for being “boring.”

When your sport has seen everything from Al Hrabosky’s pitching routine — which earned him the nickname “Mad Hungarian” — to Dock Ellis’s Lsd-induced no-hitter and the always quotable Yogi Berra (“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”), choosing a single standout is tough.

Amidst the superstars, sluggers and legends, however, there is one man who made his name by just “being Manny.” Nine-time Silver Slugger Manny Ramirez is one of the most outstanding hitters in history, and one of the most absurd characters as well. From being suspended for taking a women’s fertility drug to getting fined for a shoving match with a 64-year-old, Ramirez was as wild on the field as he was off of it.

When it comes to outrageous off-the-field antics, the NFL takes the cake. Maybe football players just have more time to get into trouble since they play the fewest games among major sports, but geared up is when they truly shine. While recently un-retired Gronk may seem the obvious choice, being the “fun” Patriot doesn’t quite make the news when compared to the Seahawks’ controversial conversationalists and absolutely dominant “Legion of Boom.” That defense’s accomplishments will go down in history, but even Kam Chancellor’s absurdly good looks couldn’t steal the show from Richard Sherman. From his “U mad bro?” tweet to Tom Brady, and the unforgettable “Immaculate Reception,” Sherman backed up his taunts with top-level play that was almost too good, forcing teams to avoid him entirely.

We may be in the midst of a serious sports drought, but there are plenty of good times, and great characters, to look back on.