Baseball has had its fair share of heroes and villains—players who could dazzle on the field while simultaneously dividing fanbases. Some were larger-than-life personalities, others found themselves at the center of scandals, and a few simply had a knack for rubbing people the wrong way.
Whether you loved them or loathed them, these players made baseball a little more entertaining. Here’s our ranking of the 15 most polarizing MLB players of all time, counting down from 15 to 1.
15. Jose Bautista
Few bat flips in baseball history have sent shockwaves through the sport quite like Jose Bautista’s in the 2015 ALDS. The Toronto slugger was already a known power hitter, but that one moment cemented his reputation as a player you either admired for his swagger or despised for his arrogance. His fiery competitiveness and home run celebrations made him a legend in Toronto—and public enemy No. 1 in Texas.
14. Manny Ramirez
“Manny being Manny” could mean anything from launching a clutch home run to cutting off a throw from his own outfielder. He was one of the most gifted right-handed hitters of his generation, but his carefree attitude and occasional lack of effort made him a love-him-or-hate-him kind of player. His PED suspension in 2009 only added to his polarizing reputation.
13. Curt Schilling
On the mound, Curt Schilling was a warrior, delivering legendary performances in the postseason—none more famous than the “bloody sock” game in 2004. But off the field, his outspoken political opinions and controversial statements made him one of the most divisive figures in baseball history. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a Hall of Fame snub or a cautionary tale about knowing when to log off Twitter.
12. Pete Rose
Pete Rose is MLB’s all-time hits leader, and if that were the whole story, he’d be an undisputed legend. But his lifetime ban for betting on baseball made him one of the sport’s most controversial figures. Some argue he should be forgiven and enshrined in Cooperstown, while others believe his actions permanently tarnished his legacy. Regardless of where you stand, the debate around Rose never ends.
11. Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer’s career has been a roller coaster—both on and off the field. His elite pitching skills and deep dive into analytics made him a fascinating player to watch, but his brash personality, frequent Twitter battles, and off-field legal issues have left fans and teams deeply divided. He’s either a misunderstood genius or a walking controversy, depending on who you ask.
10. Yasiel Puig
For a brief moment, Yasiel Puig was the most electrifying player in baseball. His cannon arm, bat flips, and aggressive base running made him a must-watch, but his unpredictable antics and sometimes reckless play left many traditionalists fuming. Was he an exciting spark plug or a headache for managers? The debate rages on.
9. A.J. Pierzynski
If there was ever a player designed to get under opponents’ skin, it was A.J. Pierzynski. Teammates often loved him, but opponents—and umpires—frequently despised him. Whether it was his controversial “dropped third strike” play in the 2005 ALCS or his never-ending trash talk, Pierzynski was the guy you loved if he was on your team and absolutely couldn’t stand if he wasn’t.
8. Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper has been in the spotlight since he was a teenage phenom, and he’s always played with an edge. His fiery attitude, bat flips, and occasional confrontations with umpires (and even teammates) have made him a magnet for criticism. But for every hater, there’s a die-hard fan who sees him as the ultimate competitor. Love him or hate him, Harper embraces the role of baseball’s modern-day villain-hero hybrid.
7. Roger Clemens
With seven Cy Young Awards and a bulldog mentality, Roger Clemens was one of the most dominant pitchers of all time. But his alleged PED use and fiery temper—whether throwing a bat at Mike Piazza or feuding with reporters—made him a polarizing figure. His Hall of Fame snub remains one of baseball’s most hotly debated topics.
6. Barry Bonds
Statistically, Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players ever. But the cloud of PED allegations looms over his career, making him one of the most controversial figures in baseball history. Fans either see him as a generational talent who was unfairly vilified or the poster boy for baseball’s steroid era. Either way, his legacy is as complicated as it gets.
5. Reggie Jackson
“Mr. October” lived for the big moment, and his confidence—bordering on arrogance—made him as polarizing as he was clutch. Whether feuding with Billy Martin or declaring, “I’m the straw that stirs the drink,” Reggie Jackson never shied away from controversy. But when the lights were brightest, few players delivered like he did.
4. Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez played with an energy and flair that thrilled fans—and infuriated opponents. His bat flips, home run trots, and occasional dust-ups with pitchers made him a lightning rod for criticism. Traditionalists saw him as disrespectful, while others saw him as a player injecting excitement into the game. No matter your stance, Gomez never played a dull inning.
3. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod’s talent was undeniable—three MVPs, over 600 home runs, and a World Series ring. But his career was also filled with controversy, from PED suspensions to awkward media moments. Yankees fans went from booing him to cheering him again, and baseball fans were never sure whether to admire his skills or roll their eyes at his off-field drama.
Read More: 15 MLB Players Who Burned Bridges With Their Former Teams
2. Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco wasn’t just a power hitter—he was the loudest, most controversial voice of the steroid era. He not only used PEDs but also blew the whistle on others in his infamous book. Some see him as a baseball truth-teller, while others view him as a self-serving agitator. Either way, Canseco has never been one to avoid controversy.
Read More: Ranking the Most Controversial MLB Players of All Time
1. John Rocker
No MLB player stirred up controversy quite like John Rocker. The former Braves closer had a dominant fastball and an even bigger mouth, making inflammatory comments that alienated fans, media, and even teammates. While some saw him as a fiery competitor, most saw him as a walking PR disaster. No player in baseball history has been as universally despised—or as unforgettable.
Read More: The 15 Most Polarizing NFL Players in History
