Roger Mc Dowell - Prankster Reputation

Prankster Reputation

While McDowell was a stable major league-level pitcher, he was also notorious in the league and among fans as a prankster who would light firecrackers in the dugout. He also could skillfully wrap a wad of chewing gum around a cigarette, then secretly place the contraption on the heels of unsuspecting teammates' cleats. This is known as the hot foot. During a nationally televised game, he was filmed with his uniform on upside down – his pants over his head with his shoes on his hands. He also took part in an on-field mariachi band and wore earrings in the clubhouse to protest Cincinnati Reds' owner Marge Schott's banning of earrings.

In 1992, McDowell made a cameo appearance in a two-part episode of Seinfeld called The Boyfriend. The episode starred McDowell's ex-teammate, Keith Hernandez, and featured McDowell as a grassy knoll-type figure spitting on Cosmo Kramer and Newman during a Zapruder film parody after Kramer and Newman insulted Hernandez.

McDowell also made several appearances on the MTV series of Rock N' Jock softball games, often donning humorous costumes such as kilts and wigs.