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.