Baseball is a team sport—unless you asked these guys. While plenty of stars let their talent do the talking, these players made it seem like the league existed just to orbit around their greatness.
From over-the-top celebrations to constant drama with teammates and media, these players never missed a chance to remind you who they were. Some had the skills to back it up, others, not so much—but either way, they definitely made everything about them.
14. Yasiel Puig
Puig brought plenty of flash, flair, and bat flips, but subtlety was never part of his game. He acted like every game was his show—and sometimes, it actually was.
13. José Canseco
Canseco had all the power and none of the filter. Between his wild off-field antics and his obsession with staying in the spotlight, you’d think he invented the sport.
12. Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon didn’t just pitch—he puffed his chest out and made sure you knew he was the main character. He once tried to choke a teammate for not playing hard enough, because of course he did.
11. A.J. Pierzynski
If you asked A.J., he was always the smartest guy on the field—whether anyone else agreed or not. His reputation for being “that guy” wasn’t just earned, it was worn like a badge of honor.
10. Bryce Harper (Early Years)
Before the maturity kicked in, Harper acted like a one-man hype reel. The swagger was turned up to 11 long before the resume matched it.
9. Trevor Bauer
Bauer made headlines for his pitching, sure—but mostly for his drama, tweets, and constant need to be the center of attention. He wasn’t just playing baseball; he was directing the movie in his head.
8. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny wasn’t just a phrase—it was a full-blown lifestyle. He played like the rules didn’t apply to him, and often acted like he was the only one on the field.
7. Carlos Gómez
Every home run was a fireworks show, and every strikeout was somehow someone else’s fault. Gómez played like he was always starring in his highlight reel.
6. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October didn’t just think he was the best—he made sure everyone knew it. Modesty wasn’t exactly part of Reggie’s toolkit, on or off the field.
5. Nyjer Morgan
Whether he was chirping opponents, making up alter egos, or stirring the pot in postgame interviews, Morgan made everything about his storyline. It was entertainment, chaos, and a little exhausting.
4. Rickey Henderson
Rickey didn’t talk about himself in the third person by accident—he lived like a legend. He truly believed the game began and ended with Rickey Henderson.
Read more: 20 MLB Stars Who Loved Themselves Almost as Much as Winning
3. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod wanted to be the face of baseball—he just didn’t want to share the spotlight with anyone else. His obsession with legacy sometimes overshadowed everything else.
Read more: 15 Baseball Divas Who Were Always the Center of Attention
2. Curt Schilling
Schilling treated every moment like a chance to remind the world how important he was. From dramatic injuries to louder-than-necessary opinions, he rarely let a day go by without centering himself.
Read more: Ranking the 14 Most Notoriously Dirty Players in Baseball History
1. Barry Bonds
Bonds didn’t just play baseball—he dominated it with a chip on his shoulder and a spotlight in his pocket. He knew he was great, acted like he was untouchable, and expected the game to bend to his will.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
