The 52 Topps Gus Zernial comes to mind as an instant classic "ridiculous" card. I'm sure I could come up with a much better top 30 if I wanted to put in the effort, but I would include several that author used though.
Not that I like any of them, but I also thought of the Tim Flannery Fleer card (I believe 88) with the surfboard, Greg Olson riding an ATV on a CC card, Roger McDowell with "tools" of the trade on one of those Donruss Triple Play cards (not to mention the guy - Jay Bell maybe - milking the cow), Kevin Brown with the painted on old timers moustache on the 94 Score card or several other "goofy" cards where the player is playing around or posing.
I thought using a Lovero card was ridiculous. That set was all odd photos by a photographer, using players in various poses. Christie Brinkley shot photos for a set of Pinnacle cards around the same time that didn't really fit with traditional photos. Surprised we didn't see one of those like Baerga with a heart painted on his chest.
If he used Mike Armstrong, just because he looked a little nerdy, or the Unibrowed Moon, then he should have used Don Mossi for those ears! Clyde King's 52 Topps is not a portrait most would be proud of either, check out the eyes. Check out some of Fred Gladding's cards too. The guy looks like a murderous stalker you'd see in some sick horror movie.
