He was born to Russian immigrant parents in Arizona, so the second half of his nickname is obvious. The "mad" part came from his eccentric proclivities. He had a colorful past before joining the Cubs, working as a harmonica player, a carnival strongman, and a striptease performer.
Novikoff was a legend in the minor leagues. His minor league roommate said of Lou: "I roomed with Lou's clothing. I don't know what he did or where he went. I know he was often coming in when I was getting up."
The Mad Russian became a wartime Cubs fill-in (1941-1944) and an entertaining eccentric. He said he feared touching Wrigley's ivy-covered walls because he thought ivy was poisonous. He also claimed the foul lines were crooked. He once stole third with the bases loaded because, he said, "I got such a good jump on the pitcher." He had a pet Russian wolfhound, which he only fed caviar.
Novikoff could hit (he hit .300 twice), but was a butcher in the outfield. His well publicized difficulties with any ball hit near him (one local writer described his fielding as "wrestling a ball to the ground") ended his Cubs career in 1944. The Phillies gave him one more shot in 1946, but that was it for his very colorful major league career.
