Who ranks first among the MLB most hated players?
A recent free-agent-to-be’s antics during the playoffs have left me wondering, which players would be the MLB most hated? Let’s take a dive into the stories of fifteen players from around the league.
Hate is a strong word, but baseball seems to breed this type of emotion. Players learn the game from different backgrounds, all playing in different cities and in front of different fans. These aspects fuel rivalries that are a great part of the game. Fans aren’t afraid to let players know how they feel, and certain players are fairly united on the MLB most hated.
Just go to a to a Red Sox/Yankees game. The Bronx Zoo boos Red Sox’s players and even players from their own team.
How about the Dodgers and Giants? Much like the Red Sox and Yankees, the Dodgers and Giants have one of the most passionate rivalries in American sports. This animosity often adds extra fuel to the flames during rivalry matchups as tensions are usually at their highest.
Large contracts, off the field issues, and on the field play are a few of the things that help build these feelings. Baseball is a game filled with unwritten rules. Old school players feel that the game needs to be respected, while new schoolers let their emotions fly.
As tensions flare, benches usually clear. Punches aren’t always thrown, but there is always enough action to get a clear image of how players and teams feel about each other.
A recent free-agent-to-be’s antics during the playoffs have left me wondering, who are the most hated players in Major League Baseball? Let’s take a dive into the stories of fifteen players from around the league…
At number fifteen, we have a former ace who is disappointing fans in the Big Apple.
15- New York Yankees (for now)-RHP Sonny Gray
The Sonny Gray experiment has not gone smoothly for the New York Yankees. The righty held up his end of the bargain after being acquired in 2017, posting a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch of the season. 2018 was a very different story for the former All-Star.
Gray saw his ERA jump from 3.72-4.90 and ERA+ fall from 122-89, resulting in a bump from the Yankees’ rotation and from their playoff roster. His nightmare season ended with Yankees’ GM, Brian Cashman, making doubtful comments about the righty’s future in New York.
According to David Lennon of Newsday, Cashman said “We’re entering the winter open-minded to relocation… it’s probably best to try somewhere else,” in regards to Gray’s future with the club.
Maybe the former ace will find better luck with a new team? Hey, a change of scenery often does the trick. Either way, it is very likely that Yankees’ fans won’t have to utter any more boos because of Sonny Gray.
14- San Fransisco Giants- RHP Hunter Strickland
In 2014’s NLDS, Bryce Harper hit two long home runs off San Fransisco Giants reliever, Hunter Strickland. Harper’s home run trot rubbed Stickland the wrong way, causing Strickland to target Harper in a game nearly three years later.
On May 29, 2017, Hunter Strickland sent a 98 mph fastball right into the hip of the National’s star. As expected, Harper was not very happy about the incident and a memorable brawl ensued.
This wasn’t the first time that the hard-throwing reliever has had an outburst. Hunter Strickland has been the Giants’ wild child for a number of years.
In the 2014 World Series, Strickland got into it with Kansas City Royals‘ catcher, Salvador Perez. We have already discussed 2017’s brawl, and Strickland acted in a similar fashion in 2018. After blowing a save in June, Hunter Strickland broke his hand by punching a door in a fit of frustration.
Strickland’s role on the 2019 team has not been defined as the club is still in search for their new leader of baseball operations.
13- Houston Astros – 1B Yuli Gurriel
Yuli Gurriel tarnished his reputation during 2017’s World Series. The righty made a racist gesture after hitting a home run off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Yu Darvish. His actions resulted in national outrage as Major League Baseball did not suspend him from any games in the World Series. Boos rained down on Gurriel for the rest of the series, though he did tip his cap in an apology to Darvish in game seven.
Yuli Gurriel was very upfront about his mistake and went into 2018 looking to repair his reputation.
12- New York Yankees- C Gary Sanchez
2018 was a very tumultuous year for Gary Sanchez. From injuries, to underperformance, to a lack of overall effort, the Yankees’ catcher experienced it all. In 89 games, Sanchez hit 18 home runs, drove in 53 RBIs and slashed an ugly .186/.291/.406 with an OPS+ of 86.
What a difference a year can make, Sanchez turned from MVP Candidate to a possible liability.
The 25-year-old led the league with 18 passed balls in just over half a season’s worth of playing time. To the outrage of Yankees’ fans, Sanchez has slowly jogged after one too many of those passed balls. He even cost the Yankees a win in July by slowly chasing a passed ball, then later slowly jogging to first base on a ground ball that could have been a close play.
This attitude has Sanchez toting the lazy label and leaves his long-term positional future in question.
11- Toronto Blue Jays- RHP Ken Giles
Much like Hunter Strickland, Ken Giles is another relief pitcher who has had numerous angry outbursts. The hard-throwing righty had a tough 2018 season and did not hide his frustrations. After blowing a save in May, Giles appeared to punch himself in the face as he came off the mound.
After another blown save in July, Giles appeared to curse out Astros’ Manager, A.J. Hinch. The following day, the struggling righty was demoted to Triple-A and was later traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as a part of the Roberto Osuna deal.
According to the New York Post, Giles criticized Hinch’s communication in comments made in September.
“I’m getting thrown out there like I didn’t know what was going on,” said Giles, “It keeps me out of the loop a little bit. I wasn’t told some information that I probably needed to know, instead just going into the dark out there without knowing what I needed to prepare for. … It’s a shame. I enjoyed my teammates there, we did a lot of great memories there, and I was very blessed to be with those guys and got to learn from those guys.”
Hinch defended himself and the organization with comments made to New York Post via the Athletic.
“I think he’s wrong and I’m disappointed that he would go down that path given how much work and time and energy and communication that our front office, our coaching staff, me, we all went through this with him,” Hinch told reporters.
It’s safe to say that Ken Giles does not have many fans left in Houston. Astros’ fans won’t have to regularly boo Giles, but will Blue Jays’ fans be as tough?
Time will tell, as we will see if he is able to turn his career around as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
10- Texas Rangers- 2B Rougned Odor
Rougned Odor is most known for the haymaker that he gave Jose Bautista in 2016, resulting in the memorable picture that is displayed above. Odor is also well known for being a hard-nosed player whose actions often fire up opposing teams. Aggressive slides, mocking and bat flips are the tools of the trade for the Rangers’ young second baseman.
In an at-bat against the Toronto Blue Jays in early April, Odor mocked pitcher Marcus Stroman’s delayed leg kick, then faced Stroman and appeared to grab his crotch. In June, Odor got into it with the Los Angeles Angels as he slid way outside of the baseline in an attempt to break up a double play.
Actions similar to these have been very common for the firey Odor. He got into it with Madison Bumgarner in 2015 as the Giants’ star did not appreciate a dirty slide. Odor also sparked a shouting match with Hank Conger in July of 2015 as the Astros’ catcher did not appreciate how long Odor was taking to get into the batter’s box.
Rougned Odor is definitely a villain for the Texas Rangers and rivals will have to deal with the powerful second baseman for the foreseeable future. Odor is signed with Texas through 2023.
9- Seattle Mariners- 2B Robinson Cano
Robinson Cano has always been known for his laid-back attitude. He becomes a controversial player as he has always produced, while often seeming to lack consistent hustle. In 2014, critics began to pile on Cano as he signed a 10 year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.
In November of 2015, former Mariners’ coach, Andy Van Slyke, ripped Cano in an interview with CBS Sports Radio 920 (via NJ.com)
Van Slyke said that Cano couldn’t “drive home Miss Daisy if he tried” and questioned how often that the star plays hard.
Van Slyke later questioned Cano’s defense, which was very puzzling, as Cano has always been a league average and sometimes plus defender.
Robinson Cano likely gained more haters as he was suspended for a large part of 2018 due to testing positive for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs.
8- Philadelphia Phillies (for now)- OF Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista has been one of the biggest villains in Major League Baseball for a number of years. The formerly feared slugger has angered a lot of people with his flashy bat flips.
A hard slide turned into a memorable brawl after Bautista angered Rangers’ second baseman, Rougned Odor, during a game in 2016. Tensions between the two clubs were already high as Baustisa had pimped a big home run against the Rangers in the ALDS from the year before. As mentioned before, Odor turned and took out his frustrations by clocking Bautista right in the jaw.
Bautista’s reputation even caused former Orioles GM, Dan Duquette, to publically say that they would not sign the slugger because their fans really hate him.
It is easy to be disliked when you are good, and because of this, we have seen Bautista’s relevance wane over the last few years, but his past reputation earned him the eighth spot on my list.
7- Miami Marlins- RHP Jose Urena
Jose Urena made a name for himself with one action in 2018. The starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins intentionally drilled Ronald Acuna with the first pitch in a game in late August.
The Atlanta Braves young star had been on a tear. Going into play, he had homered in five straight games, including three in a row against the Marlins.
Urena was ejected and later suspended. This incident spurred an ongoing debate over the brutality of the unwritten rules of baseball.
6- Cleveland Indians- RHP Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer is a newer villain in the MLB Baseballverse. The Indians pitcher has made a name for himself with his pitching, attitude and his Twitter handle.
After the Indians were swept in the ALDS, a heckler targeted BauerOutage on Twitter by asking the Indians’ righty, “Would you consider yourself someone who got swept?”
Bauer responded by tweeting “Sweep deez nutz across your face”.
Trevor Bauer also has a very public riff with Astros’ righty, Gerrit Cole. The two pitchers were college teammates at UCLA, but now refuse to talk to each other.
Bauer’s most well-known incident occurred during his club’s 2017 playoff push. The righty was scheduled to start game two of the ALCS but was pushed back to game three because he needed stitches to repair a cut on his pitching hand. This story becomes bizarre when you hear what cut Bauer’s finger…
The Cleveland Indians starter cut his finger while he was attempting to repair his drone. He plugged the drone in and the propellers spun and cut his finger at full speed. Bauer was then removed in the first inning of game three as his stitches opened up while he was on the mound.
5- Houston Astros- 3B Alex Bregman
Like Bauer, Alex Bregman is also a new villain in the MLB Baseballverse. Bregman also happens to be one of Trevor Bauer’s main foes.
The Astros’ third baseman made his presence felt during the 2018 season. The righty had a breakout year on the field and in front of the camera.
Bregman started the team’s patented “camera stare down” after home runs, he is not afraid to trash talk with other player’s on Twitter, and he always seems to have a fun postgame quote.
In May, Bregman targeted Trevor Bauer on Twitter after Bauer accused Astros’ pitchers of doctoring baseballs. Bregman tweeted back, “Relax Tyler … those World Series balls spin a little different…. ”
After the Astros swept the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, Bregman got in front of the post-game cameras and announced that the Astros were ready for prime time baseball, following the club’s rare three consecutive playoff afternoon games.
Before game three of the ALCS, Bregman uploaded a video to Instagram of the Astros’ taking then Tampa Bay Rays starter, Nathan Eovaldi, deep in three consecutive at-bats.
Alex Bregman has evolved into an overall star and embodies the swagger of the Houston Astros. Bregman will likely continue being the villain of the Astros as he will only continue to improve.
4- Milwaukee Brewers- OF Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun is a former All-Star, MVP and steroid user.
Braun first tested positive for PED’s during the 2011 season, a season in which he took home the NL MVP Award. The righty appealed the allegation and won the appeal on a technicality. Braun and his legal team accused the tester of not using proper protocol, saying that he was a Cubs fan who was out to hurt the Brewers.
Braun later stated, “This is my livelihood, this is my integrity, this is my character, this is everything that I’ve worked for in my life being called into question – we need to make sure that we get it right.”
In 2013, MLB discovered that they did get it right…
During the Biogenesis PED scandal, it was revealed that Braun had been using steroids during the 2011 season. After a short fight, Ryan Braun later admitted to having knowingly taken PED’s.
To sum it up, Ryan Braun is a cheater and a liar, characteristics well deserving of the fourth spot on my list of the most hated players in Major League Baseball.
3- Los Angeles Dodgers- OF Yasiel Puig
Like Jose Bautista, Yasiel Puig’s flair often bothers opposing players. He flips his bat, throws his hands in the air, and celebrates common aspects of the game. Some feel that this is disrespectful.
Prior to game one of the World Series, Puig commented on his antics to USA Today.
“Sometimes I do my stuff, like kid or crazy stuff and sometimes people don’t like it,” Puig said. “But that’s the way I play, that’s the way I feel good, and that’s when I play better.
His antics have caused a good amount of trouble and debate since his debut in 2013.
In 2018, Puig was suspended due to his involvement in an altercation with Nick Hundley.
In 2017, Puig was also suspended, as the righty made an obscene gesture following a home run.
People can tolerate Puig’s flair when he is playing well, but not when he is struggling as seen in 2016 when injuries and struggles led to Puig’s demotion to Triple-A.
Yasiel Puig has been in the headlines many times over his first handful of seasons. After watching his play in the 2018 World Series, it is safe to say that we will continue to see “The Wild Horse” make headlines for many seasons to come.
2- Washington Nationals (for now) – OF Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper is one of the most talented players in Major League Baseball, but he is also one of the most despised. The Washington Nationals star set out to make “Baseball Fun Again” and often gets criticized for playing too hard, not playing hard enough, and showboating while on the field.
His attitude is also in question as he has been a part of a number of toxic Nationals’ clubhouses. Harper got into an altercation with then-teammate, Johnathon Papelbon, in 2015 and has been a key piece in a number of disappointing Playoff runs.
In June, a National League executive called Harper overrated in an interview with Bleacher Report, “He’s simply overrated. The good ain’t worth the bad. He’s a losing player,” the executive told Robert Murray of FRS Baseball. “Cares about himself more than the team. If I was in charge and had money, my team would not pursue him. We would use that money to sign 2-3 winning players.”
The Washington Nationals seem set on following this path as Bryce Harper does not seem destined to rejoin their club.
Could this be for the best? Only time will tell, there should be plenty of news surfacing regarding Bryce Harper’s future as the offseason rolls on.
1- Los Angeles Dodgers (for now)- SS Manny Machado
Manny is still being Manny, and I am not talking about Manny Ramirez. There is a new disliked Manny in Major League Baseball, Manny Machado. Like Harper, Manny Machado is one of the biggest free agents on the market in 2018, but he might have cost himself money with his antics during the 2018 Playoffs.
The New York Yankees were expected to be a big player in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, but this may no longer be the case. According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees are now lukewarm on the star after seeing his lack of hustle and “dirty” play.
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During the playoffs, Machado failed to run out a ground ball, watched a long fly ball become a single, and was quoted saying that he’s not “Johnny Hustle”. The infielder also stepped on a number of first basemen and was the instigator in a number of questionable slides. Machado has otherworldly talent, but this type of play helps him garner a hated reputation.
Machado was also involved in a number of incidents earlier on in his career. The star seemed to launch his bat at an Oakland A’s player in 2014, was involved in an on-field altercation with the late Yordano Ventura in 2016, and went on an on-camera rant about the Red Sox organization in 2017.
With great talent comes great responsibility, and many of Manny Machado’s critics feel that he should act/play differently.
Next. Machado needs Buck in his life. dark
Either way, the world needs villains, and in my eyes, these players are the MLB most hated. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below!