Lou Novikoff's first language was Russian 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.