Lenny Dykstra aka "Nails" aka "The Dude," formerly a fiery centerfielder for the Mets and Phillies, currently an investment guru and author of the financial newsletter "THE DYKSTRA REPORT" is about to launch his newest project; a magazine aimed at professional athletes, aptly named the "THE PLAYERS CLUB - Keep Living The Dream."
Below is the inaugural cover featuring Derek Jeter
While Dykstra was playing he was part of two of the most colorful clubhouses in recent memory...the 1986 New York Mets and the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies.
Each team had tons of players that were labeled anything from characters to free spirits to bad boys to outlaws to worse. Screwballs wants to find out who was the most colorful character of them all...we let you the fans decide.
It's our won version of March Madness - the 1986 Mets vs the 1993 Phillies - the candidates:
1986 Mets: Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Roger McDowell, Wally Backman, Nails (the NY version) and Mr. Met
1993 Phillies: Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, John Kruk, Darren "Dutch Dalton, Pete Incaviglia, Nails (the Philly Version) and the Philadelphia Phanatic
New York Nails vs The Philly Dude: Mets fans remember the 1986 NLCS (game 3) vs the Astros. The Philly Dude sported a bigger frame and more chew. Traded to PHI for Juan Samuel...that's still a tough one for Mets' fans to stomach.
Pete Incaviglia vs Darryl Strawberry: Inky vs Straw. 'Nuf Ced - Probably the most intriguing match-up in all the brackets.
Keith Hernandez vs John Kruk: Hernadez was the smoother both on the field and off. Kruk ate more - you decide. A great battle of polar opposites.
Roger McDowell vs Mitch Williams: McDowell could always be counted on for a good hot foot or lighting off fireworks in the dugout. The "Wild Thing" featured a full throttle delivery and was always entertaining. Joe Carter anyone
Wally Backman vs Darren Daulton: Backman and Dykstra were affectionately known as the "Wild Boys" while in New York and Backman sported a killer moustache.
"Dutch," as Daulton was known, was the leader of that Philly team and had the long flowing locks that were in style (maybe) in '93.
The Philly Phanatic vs Mr. Met: Kind of an easy one. From his famous feuds with Tommy Lasorda to his animated antics with players, fans and umpires alike it has to be the Phanatic. Footnote - The Phanatic is Tim McCarver's favorite mascot.
So...who was the most colorful character of them all...leave a post and weigh in - A free FOX Sports hat sent to the best reply.
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The most colorful character in MLB isn't human, as a matter of fact, nobody knows what he is... maybe he's a reincarnation of the Tasmanian Devil on 'chill pills', I don't know... but the "Philly Phanatic" reins supreme across the board... anytime, any place!
You have to see him (it) in person to appreciate what he does to kids from 8 to 80. You absolutely can not leave a Phillies home game without a smile on your face, even if the Phils blow in game due to the bull pen, which is quite commomplace.
NMPhillyFan - I couldn't agree with you more - the phanatic is great - I've been in the San Diego Chicken suit but I'd kill to be in the Phanatic suit for a day
Hanahan - I'll look into an interview with Daulton - could be a winner
While the the 93 Phils were a crazy bunch, they never ripped apart an airplane in mid-flight. I don't remember hearing about a Texas bar brawl either. The Mets least imposing player was the one who started that fight. Good times.
All good points, but for me, I have to go with the Krukker... proof that beer and baseball can co-exist even on the field. Once described as looking like 'a bag of garbage' when sliding into second base (affectionately) and with a batting stance that defied physics, the guy was just too easy to root for. Daulton and Dykstra were colorful to the point of being public hazards, and while I love the Phanatic, I could make a case for doing away with all mascots... period. Hernandez was a great player, but I would have wanted Kruk's career, as well as his current gig...
roger mcdowell by a landslide-he did not need drugs to be goofy-kruk by far-and i would love to have his gig-nails trade is a soggy hot dog roll compared to the mets trading kazmir to the the rays -definatly the phanatic-mr met looks like a golf ball on a tee-gee i wish i could get areested that many times and always get off with a wag of a finger and being told do not do that again
I saw the SD Chicken when in SD on business. It must have been fun to have been inside, and I think the 'Chicken' would be a very close second to the Philly Phanatic, he makes a lot of people laugh.
I look forward to reading your follow up article on Daulton... sounds wierd... hope I don't miss it!
What about an eating contest between Sid Fernandez and John Kruk?? Or a Coke off between Gooden and Strawberry vs Daulton and the aliens??? Best porn mustache Howard Johnson vs Mitch Williams??
the phanatic by far, and he is from the galapagos islands. for those of you that were wondering. and daulton is crazy, williams is finally being welcomed back into the city since '93 (working with comcast and a radio show before and after phils' games.) the kruk can not be topped. he's about 100 lbs bigger, but still he's john kruk.
