Baseball has always needed villains. Some players were just too good, too cocky, or too controversial for fans to embrace—unless, of course, they played for your team.
Whether it was attitude, scandals, or just sheer dominance, these players had opposing fans absolutely fuming. Here are 20 MLB stars of the past who fans loved to hate.
1. Roger Maris
Not his fault, but breaking Babe Ruth’s record in 1961 made him an enemy of Yankees fans (yes, really) and a target for baseball purists. Imagine getting booed for being too good.
2. AJ Pierzynski
Baseball’s biggest instigator. If a bench-clearing brawl was happening, there was a strong chance AJ was in the middle of it, smirking.
3. Ozzie Guillén
Trash talk? Check. Zero filter? Double-check. Whether as a player or manager, Ozzie always made sure he was the loudest voice in the room.
4. Chris Carpenter
Fiery competitor or just a guy who never stopped yelling? Opposing batters had opinions, and none of them were particularly fond.
5. Dennis Eckersley
That mustache. That showboating. That dominance. You either loved Eck’s energy or desperately wanted someone to take him deep.
6. Gary Sheffield
That violent bat waggle? Terrifying. His tendency to stir up drama? Also terrifying. An elite hitter who played with an edge—sometimes too much edge.
7. Ty Cobb
The original baseball villain. He allegedly sharpened his spikes to slide harder and played with a level of ferocity that would get him ejected immediately in today’s game.
8. Rickey Henderson
Rickey was the best, and if you didn’t know, Rickey would tell you. A legend, sure, but not the most humble one.
9. Darryl Strawberry
One of the most electric talents of the ‘80s, but off-the-field drama followed him everywhere. Fans respected his skill, but the baggage was a lot.
10. Curt Schilling
Lights-out pitcher, but off the field… well, let’s just say he doesn’t exactly win popularity contests these days.
11. Mark McGwire
He brought baseball back to life with his home runs, then left a complicated legacy in the wake of steroid scandals. A hero? A villain? A bit of both.
12. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October was as clutch as they came, and he knew it. Yankees fans adored him, but everyone else rolled their eyes at his larger-than-life confidence.
13. John Rocker
Had an electric arm but torched his own reputation with offensive comments and an attitude that made everyone root against him.
14. Albert Belle
A true power hitter with a true power temper. If you were a second baseman in his way, well… good luck.
15. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny meant jaw-dropping home runs, hilarious mistakes, and a general sense of chaos. Fun? Yes. Frustrating? Also yes.
16. Jose Canseco
Steroid whistleblower… after he was done using them. Then he became Twitter’s strangest baseball personality. Never a dull moment.
17. Pete Rose
The all-time hit king and the all-time champion of bad gambling decisions. Banned for life but still signing autographs like nothing happened.
18. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod had the skills, the scandals, and the ability to make people dislike him even when he was trying to be likable. A true villain’s resume.
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19. Roger Clemens
Threw a bat at Mike Piazza in the World Series, got tangled in steroid scandals, and had that always intense glare. Pure intimidation, pure controversy.
Related: The 15 Most Controversial MLB Players of All Time
20. Barry Bonds
The ultimate baseball villain. A ridiculous talent with a ridiculous number of home runs… and a very complicated legacy. Fans booed him, but deep down, they knew they were watching history.
