Baseball has always had its fair share of heroes, villains, and those who straddle the line with a smirk and a swagger. But for every beloved slugger or inspiring underdog, there’s that one guy fans couldn’t stand—whether it was the attitude, the antics, or the headlines that followed them like a rain cloud.
This list isn’t about stats, rings, or WAR—it’s about the vibes. From dugout drama to off-field controversies, these are the 30 MLB stars who just rubbed people the wrong way, ranked from eye-roll inducing to full-blown public enemy.
30. Yadier Molina
He was beloved in St. Louis but downright despised in opposing dugouts. Between the stare-downs and the never-ending arguments with umps, he made sure you knew he was in charge.
29. Nyjer Morgan
Tony Plush was his alter ego, but fans weren’t buying the bit. His antics felt more like a sideshow than a spark plug.
28. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny was fun—until it wasn’t. The quirky charm gave way to drug suspensions and checked-out behavior.
27. Roger Clemens
Clemens was dominant but rarely humble. The fiery temper, PED questions, and headhunting tendencies didn’t help.
26. Yasiel Puig
Electric is on the field, and erratic is everywhere else. He was just as likely to flip a bat as he was to forget how many outs there were.
25. Ryan Braun
It wasn’t just the failed PED test—it was the way he denied it with gusto and dragged others down. Fans don’t forget being lied to with a smile.
24. Bryce Harper
He’s matured, but early Bryce was all hair flips, eye black, and ejections. Teammates didn’t always love the act either.
23. Carlos Zambrano
Known as much for throwing tantrums as fastballs. Dugout blowups were part of the package deal.
22. Jonathan Papelbon
He was a closer with the demeanor of a cartoon villain. Whether it was grabbing teammates by the throat or celebrating like he’d won the World Series in May, he never dialed it down.
21. Milton Bradley
A walking controversy who could never seem to avoid conflict. His temper constantly overshadowed his talent.
20. Barry Bonds
An all-time talent with a Hall of Fame chip on his shoulder. He didn’t care if fans or the media liked him, and ensured they knew it.
19. John Rocker
He didn’t just cross the line—he sprinted past it. His off-field comments made him a nationwide heel.
18. A.J. Pierzynski
Even his teammates admitted he was hard to like. He played the role of baseball villain a little too well.
17. Curt Schilling
Once a postseason hero, now more known for inflammatory takes. His post-career legacy has soured a lot of fans.
16. Jose Canseco
The king of chaos, Canseco, made more noise off the field than on it. From books to bizarre tweets, he never knew when to stop.
15. Josh Donaldson
Cocky confidence turned into clubhouse friction. Opponents and fans alike found him more grating than great.
14. Roberto Alomar
Yes, he was talented. But the infamous spitting incident lingers more than his Gold Gloves.
13. Alex Rodriguez
From cheating scandals to awkward interviews, A-Rod’s likeability rollercoaster was exhausting. Even his attempts to rebrand never quite landed with everyone.
12. Kevin Brown
Not a people person, to put it mildly. Known for being prickly with the media and teammates alike.
11. Ugueth Urbina
Before his shocking post-career legal troubles, he was known for his temper. The off-field issues sealed his spot here.
10. Albert Belle
Ferocious at the plate, equally aggressive off it. His tirades and tantrums were legendary.
9. Manny Machado
From stepping on ankles to not hustling, he gave fans plenty of reasons to boo. His talent couldn’t quite cover the perception.
8. Carlos Gomez
Flashy, emotional, and always ready to start a confrontation. His celebrations often ignited benches and debates.
7. Trevor Bauer
A polarizing pitcher long before legal issues took center stage. His social media behavior and clubhouse reputation were already red flags.
6. Pete Rose
He played with heart but broke fans’ trust. The betting scandal and never-ending denials left a bitter taste.
5. Brian McCann
The self-appointed “fun police” of MLB. He’d rather start a confrontation over an unwritten rule than let anyone enjoy a homer.
4. Ruben Sierra
Sierra had talent, no doubt. But stories of arrogance and attitude made him a tough teammate and a tough sell for fans.
3. Rickey Henderson
A legend, yes—but modest he was not. Whether it was third-person quotes or demanding respect, he wore confidence like cologne.
2. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October was also Mr. Ego. His constant battles with teammates and front offices made him a lightning rod.
Read More: 20 MLB Stars Who Needed a Chill Button (and Never Found It)
1. Ty Cobb
The original villain of baseball history. Stories of his racism, violence, and rage make him the blueprint for unlikeability.
Read More: 20 MLB Stars Who Thought the Franchise Revolved Around Them
