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18 Baseball Players Who Never Missed a Chance to Stir the Pot

Baseball has always had its fair share of pot-stirrers—players who lived to ruffle feathers, start drama, or keep things spicy on and off the field. Whether it was chirping from the dugout, flipping bats with flair, or beefing with opponents (and sometimes their teammates), these guys thrived on tension.

From notorious trash talkers to guys who just loved being the villain, this list is all about the players who were never content to play ball quietly. Stirring the pot was practically part of their pregame routine, and we loved (or loved to hate) them for it.

18. Yasiel Puig

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) hits a double to score Eugenio Suarez in the bottom of the seventh inning of the MLB game between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Cincinnati.
Albert Cesare via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Puig played baseball like a wrecking ball with a flair for chaos. Whether he was flipping bats, starting benches-clearing scuffles, or licking his bat mid-game, he never did things quietly.

17. Bryce Harper

Jun 3, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) waits for the play to begin against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Harper’s been making headlines since high school and has always embraced the spotlight—and the drama that comes with it. He never backed down from a confrontation and was always ready with a quote that made headlines.

16. Manny Machado

Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) heads back to the dugout after hitting a fly ball during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Machado had a knack for ticking people off, whether it was questionable slides, staring down pitchers, or jawing at fans. He always kept things interesting—and occasionally dangerous.

15. Jonathan Papelbon

Jun 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) pitches during the ninth inning of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets won in the eleventh inning 4-3.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Papelbon brought closer-level intensity to every interaction, including a famous dugout fight with his teammate. If there was a situation to escalate, he was sprinting toward it.

14. Trevor Bauer

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 4, 2019, at Great American Ball Park.
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bauer was a walking controversy, from throwing baseballs over the center field fence to picking fights online. He stirred the pot on and off the field—and didn’t seem to mind the backlash.

13. A.J. Pierzynski

Jun 24, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (40) looks to the dugout after being stolen on for the second time during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Pierzynski had a reputation as the guy nobody liked playing against—and sometimes even teammates weren’t fans. He had a knack for getting under people’s skin in a way that somehow worked for him.

12. Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan reacts to his walk-off game winning hit in the 10th. The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 at Miller Park Friday October 7, 2011 and advanced to the NLCS. Brewers08 Spt Lynn 33
Tom Lynn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Morgan (aka “Tony Plush”) was as unpredictable as he was entertaining. His alter ego, wild antics, and frequent altercations made him one of the league’s most chaotic characters.

11. Carlos Gómez

Jun 9, 2019; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Carlos Gomez (91) hits an RBI single against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Citi Field.
Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

Gómez brought high energy and high drama, often celebrating in ways that sent opposing teams into a frenzy. The man loved a bat flip almost as much as he loved a good on-field scuffle.

10. Joe Kelly

Sep 18, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (99) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Joe Kelly became a folk hero for throwing at Astros players post-scandal and pouting his way into a meme. He’s never passed up a chance to throw a little gasoline on the fire.

9. Reggie Jackson

Unknown date; Cleveland, OH; USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Athletics right fielder Reggie Jackson (9) in action against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland Stadium.
Tony Tomsic-Imagn Images

“Mr. October” didn’t just deliver in the clutch—he also delivered plenty of drama. From clashing with managers to declaring his greatness, Reggie always found a way to stir it up.

8. Billy Martin

Aug 1973; Detroit, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Detroit Tigers manager Billy Martin argues with the home plate umpire during the 1973 season at Tiger Stadium.
Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Yes, we’re including a manager—because no one stirred the pot like Billy Martin. Between his battles with players, umpires, and especially George Steinbrenner, he was a walking soap opera.

7. Carlos Zambrano

Aug. 22, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano pitches in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Zambrano was a volcano waiting to erupt—often on his team. Whether he was smashing water coolers or starting fights, he brought fire (and drama) every time he pitched.

6. José Bautista

Jul 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gestures after scoring a run against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre.
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

One bat flip turned him into a baseball icon and a villain, depending on who you asked. Bautista’s swagger and his infamous brawl with Rougned Odor kept him firmly in pot-stirrer territory.

5. Johnny Cueto

Aug 30, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cueto always played with a bit of an edge, and it sometimes boiled over, especially in that infamous Reds-Cardinals brawl. He didn’t just pitch; he provoked.

4. Roger Clemens

Aug 6, 2006; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Astros pitcher (22) Roger Clemens against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Clemens was never afraid to pitch inside or chuck a broken bat at someone. He brought a bulldog mentality and enough drama to fill a 30-for-30.

3. Pedro Martínez

May 14, 2006; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Mets pitcher #45 Pedro Martinez delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Pedro was electric on the mound and electric in the drama department, too. He didn’t shy away from throwing at hitters or throwing Don Zimmer to the ground.

Read More: 20 MLB Stars Who Were All Vibes, No Accountability

2. Alex Rodriguez

Mar 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) bats against the Atlanta Braves during the game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankees defeat the Braves 3-2.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

A-Rod always found a way to be at the center of the storm, whether it was slapping gloves, yelling during pop-ups, or getting wrapped up in scandals. Drama seemed to follow him like a shadow.

Read More: 15 Baseball Divas Who Were Always the Center of Attention

1. Barry Bonds

Aug 7, 2007; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds (25) hits his 756th career homerun off of Washington Nationals starting pitcher Mike Bacsik (not pictured) during the 5th inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. Bonds passed Hank Aaron (755 homeruns) to become the all-time career homerun leader.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Love him or hate him, Bonds stirred every pot imaginable. His icy relationship with the media, beefs with teammates, and sky-high ego made him one of the most polarizing players in baseball history.

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