Baseball may be America’s pastime, but it’s had its fair share of players who pushed the limits of fair play. Whether it was throwing elbows, sharpening spikes, or doctoring balls, these guys built reputations as the dirtiest of the dirty—and fans loved to hate them for it.
From old-school legends who took out second basemen like it was a hobby to modern players caught in a cloud of suspicion, these players made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Some called it gamesmanship, others called it cheating, but either way, their names are forever linked with baseball’s darker side.
14. Billy Martin
As both a player and manager, Billy Martin always found himself in the middle of the mess. His fiery temper and willingness to do anything to win made him a walking baseball brawl.
13. Pascual Pérez
Pérez once started a full-on brawl by throwing at the same hitter multiple times in the same game. He had a knack for getting under people’s skin and a wild streak that made him must-watch chaos.
12. Bryce Harper
Love him or hate him, Harper’s been in his fair share of scrums. Whether it’s charging the mound or flipping the bat like he’s launching a missile, Harper brings drama to the diamond.
11. Gary Sheffield
Sheffield swung his bat with violence—and not just at pitches. He was known to exchange words and elbows, often playing right up to (and past) the line.
10. A.J. Pierzynski
The king of rubbing people the wrong way, Pierzynski had a knack for turning even routine plays into heated moments. He was constantly in the middle of something—and that was just how he liked it.
9. Joe Morgan
Morgan’s sharp elbows and aggressive baserunning made him a thorn in every middle infielder’s side. He played hard, but many opponents thought he played dirty, too.
8. Don Drysdale
Drysdale made a career out of intimidating hitters with high heat and a stare that could freeze time. He wasn’t afraid to plunk batters just to send a message.
7. Hal McRae
McRae’s takeout slides were the stuff of legend—and nightmares for second basemen. He played with reckless abandon and didn’t care who got hurt in the process.
6. Nyjer Morgan
Morgan was a magnet for mayhem, from charging the mound to getting into it with fans. He was unpredictable, fiery, and always a threat to stir the pot.
5. Kevin Youkilis
Youkilis had one of the ugliest stances in baseball and an even uglier temper. He never backed down from a fight, and plenty of pitchers found out the hard way.
4. Ty Cobb
Cobb wasn’t just dirty—he practically wrote the book on it. He sharpened his spikes, spiked opponents, and fought everyone from teammates to fans.
3. Pedro Martínez
Pedro wasn’t shy about brushing hitters back—or planting them in the dirt. His legendary stare-downs and bench-clearing resume made him both feared and controversial.
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2. Manny Machado
Machado has a long rap sheet, from spiking first basemen to bat-flinging tantrums. He’s got the talent, but his antics have made him one of the game’s most disliked stars.
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1. Roger Clemens
Clemens wasn’t just dominant—he was downright ruthless. From throwing a bat shard at Mike Piazza to a suspiciously late-career power surge, he’ll forever be known for doing things the dirty way.
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