Why I Love Baseball is a nine week series that will be posted on Tuesdays. This week's topic is "the characters."

No matter the situation, be it school, work or your group of friends, there is always that rather odd person. They aren't insane, but they're just crazy enough to make you question if they might have a screw loose up there.

With a history that spans as long as baseball's does, there are bound to be a few oddballs—or as they're more affectionately known, "characters."

What would baseball be without these people and their antics? They bring a much needed bit of comic relief to a generally dramatic and serious game. They allow us to laugh and remember that we are just watching a game.

Opinions are always mixed about characters in their generation, but the stories they generate will outlive their critics. The fate of most characters is that they will be remembered for their actions just as much as they will be remember for their skill on the field, and in some cases more so.

There are a lot of characters throughout baseball history and I would not be able to discuss all of them, so instead I have chosen four whom I love.

Mark Fidrych

When it comes to people who might have been one piece shy of a three piece suit, Fidrych is definitely in consideration. His career didn't last very long due to an torn rotator cuff which was not diagnosed until after he had retired. Yet in a memorable 1976 campaign, he went 19-9, including 24 complete games, with a league leading 2.34 ERA. That season ended with Fidrych taking home the Rookie of the Year honor.

Although Fidrych captivated the nation with that great season, "the bird" will be remembered more for his bizarre on-field rituals.

Fidrych would often talk to the ball before he threw it. Sometimes he would actually throw a ball back to the umpire requesting a new one because the current one "had hits in it." He was also known for running out to the mound and spending large quantities of time "manicuring" it.

Fidrych's interviews were always something to watch as his responses seemed to be given in a manner that showed he was either incredibly naive or had a fantastic sense of humor.

Casey Stengel

Casey Stengel was a career .284 hitter who is best known for managing the New York Yankees to five consecutive world championships—a feat which has not been duplicated. Yet to many he's remembered as the Stengelese speaking first manager of the New York Mets.

Stengel's antics created interest in New York's expansion franchise that was fearful of drawing a fan base in its early years. Sports writers in the city during Stengel's time managing started to call his rantings "Stengelese" as it seemed that he was speaking a completely different language. Casey was a master promoter and is the one who is responsible for the Mets famous moniker, the "Amazin Mets."

Honestly, I believe a large part of how the Mets' fan base responds to the team is due to Stengel. Mets fan typically are brutally honest about their team while making jokes along the way. And with that comedic honesty comes a strong passion for their team. Stengel did all of those things and the fan base followed suit.

Bob Uecker

Bob Uecker is my all-time favorite broadcaster. Uecker wasn't the greatest baseball player, and he'll willingly tell you that. Bob is just a very fun loving guy who loves a good practical joke and also is known for his self-depreciating humor.

Uecker has really earned a special place in my heart from his role as Harry Doyle in the Major League films. It is because of Uecker's wit and the fact he's a fantastic broadcaster, I often find myself listening to Brewers radio broadcasts just to hear him call the game.

Manny Ramirez

Like I mentioned earlier, opinions about players in their time are varied while history will generally remember them well. Manny Ramirez will probably be one of those players.

While Manny has put up some impressive numbers throughout his career, they are currently tainted due to his recent suspension. Although controversy has cast a shadow on his playing career, steroids cannot take away from "Manny being Manny."

While he is a great player, I'll never forget him going into the scoreboard on the Green Monster to use the bathroom or the time he high-fived a fan after making a catch.

He's our generation's character and while he's not the only one, his actions have always brought me laughter. Manny is carrying on something I love about the game and that's the characters.

The characters are great because they bring us much needed laughter and through their joy we can enjoy baseball all the more.