Being a baseball legend doesn’t always mean your teammates believe you. Sometimes greatness comes with a side of ego, drama, or just being a flat-out pain to be around.
From stars who clashed with managers to icons who treated the locker room like their personal kingdom, these 24 guys made headlines. Talent wins games, but it doesn’t always win over the clubhouse—and these 24 legends proved just that.
24. Barry Bonds
Barry’s bat was legendary, but his personality was less so. Let’s say he didn’t exactly throw a lot of team dinners.
23. Jeff Kent
He played like a pro but didn’t always act like a teammate. His clashes with Bonds made headlines, and that was just the beginning.
22. Curt Schilling
Big-time postseason hero but not exactly the warmest presence in the dugout. Teammates often kept their distance—and for good reason.
21. A.J. Pierzynski
Pitchers loved his competitiveness, but his attitude rubbed plenty of teammates the wrong way. Not everyone appreciated his “fire.”
20. Albert Belle
A ferocious hitter with an intense presence and was not a guy you wanted to joke around with. Clubhouse morale was not exactly his priority.
19. Reggie Jackson
“Mr. October” had a way of making things all about him. He didn’t always mesh well with other stars—or the coaching staff.
18. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny wasn’t just a catchphrase—it was a lifestyle. And sometimes, that lifestyle drove teammates absolutely nuts.
17. Dennis Eckersley
One of the best closers ever but not exactly a low-key figure. His confidence sometimes veered into “eye-roll” territory.
16. Kevin Brown
Dominant on the mound, prickly everywhere else. Let’s say he didn’t win many clubhouse popularity contests.
15. Milton Bradley
Talented but volatile, he bounced from team to team for a reason. Teammates often found themselves walking on eggshells.
14. John Rocker
His mouth got him into more trouble than his pitching did. Not exactly the guy you wanted as your locker neighbor.
13. Gary Sheffield
He brought power to every lineup—but not always peace. Sheffield wasn’t afraid to call people out, even his teammates.
12. Rickey Henderson
He stole bases and sometimes the spotlight. Not every teammate appreciated their one-man show vibe.
11. Roger Clemens
He brought the fire on the mound, but his relationships were hit-or-miss. Some saw him as a leader; others saw him as a diva.
10. Manny Machado
The talent’s never been in question, but the maturity? That’s another story. Teammates haven’t always loved his attitude.
9. Jose Canseco
He hit bombs, stirred drama, and later wrote a tell-all book about everyone. That’s not exactly the definition of a loyal teammate.
8. Josh Donaldson
His intensity could be both inspiring and exhausting. He wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers if it meant getting his way.
7. Carlos Zambrano
A walking emotion explosion. He kept the energy high—and the tension higher.
6. Jonathan Papelbon
Fireballer with a fiery temper to match. His infamous dust-ups didn’t stop at the opposing team.
5. Bobby Bonilla
Known more today for his contract than his personality, Bonilla didn’t win many fans inside the locker room either. He could be brash and combative when things didn’t go his way.
4. Bryce Harper
He’s calmed down in recent years, but early Bryce was a different story. Young, fiery, and a bit too much for some veteran teammates.
Read More: 15 MLB Stars Who Yelled at Their Teammates Like It Was a Hobby
3. David Wells
Fun at the bar, not always fun in the clubhouse. He marched to the beat of his beer-soaked drum.
Read More: 25 MLB Players Who Were Quiet Legends in the Clubhouse
2. Alex Rodriguez
One of the most talented ever—but also one of the most complicated. His presence sometimes fractured locker rooms rather than unified them.
Read More: 15 MLB Veterans Who Always Mentored the Clubhouse
1. Pete Rose
“Charlie Hustle” was intense, confrontational, and unapologetically Pete. His win-at-all-costs mentality didn’t always win over his teammates.
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