35 MLB Players Who Stood Out for the Wrong Reasons
Baseball, America’s pastime, has seen its share of heroes and legends. But just as captivating are its villains, the players and figures who stirred the pot, created headlines, and sometimes divided fans with their actions both on and off the field. This list dives into the world of MLB’s most controversial figures—players who played the game on their own terms, challenged the status quo, and left an indelible mark on the sport. From notorious rule-breakers to fiery personalities, these are the individuals who, for better or worse, have become unforgettable characters in baseball’s storied history. Fans love to hate these players, but there’s no denying the impact they’ve had on the game.
35. Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez, a name that evokes a wide array of emotions among baseball fans, might forever be etched outside the Hall of Fame, but his narrative is more than just about records and accolades. Unlike Barry Bonds and Pete Rose, whose reputations have remained tarnished, Rodriguez embarked on a successful path to redemption after retiring. Once considered one of his generation’s least-liked players, his post-career endeavors have slowly altered public perception.
Central to Rodriguez’s controversial career was his involvement in the Biogenesis baseball scandal, a dark chapter that threatened to overshadow his achievements on the field. This scandal, linked to a now-defunct anti-aging clinic, implicated Rodriguez and other MLB players in the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Despite initially denying such allegations, Rodriguez later admitted to using steroids, making him the focal point of debates on integrity and fairness in baseball.
34. Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper, once the golden boy of the Washington Nationals, became the epitome of a sports traitor in the eyes of many when he inked a 13-year, $330 million deal with the arch-rival Philadelphia Phillies in 2018. This move came after a stellar tenure with the Nationals, highlighted by his 2015 National League MVP season.
Harper boasted a .330 batting average, 99 RBIs, 118 runs, and 42 home runs. Harper’s decision to join the Phillies stirred controversy among fans and sparked debates on loyalty and rivalry in sports. As fate would have it, the subsequent season saw the Nationals winning the World Series while the Phillies missed the postseason, a twist many in Washington hailed as poetic justice.
33. A.J. Pierzynski
A.J. Pierzynski’s move to the San Francisco Giants in 2004 was met with mixed reactions, given his reputation as one of the game’s less amiable figures. Despite his skills behind the plate, Pierzynski’s tenure with the Giants was overshadowed by controversy and failed to convert critics into fans.
Although statistically commendable, his performance for the Giants couldn’t overshadow the cost of acquiring him—the loss of future all-stars Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. Pierzynski’s time in San Francisco is often remembered not for runs batted in but for a missed opportunity and a trade that many Giants fans rue to this day.
32. Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale, a towering figure on the mound for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, was notorious for his aggressive pitching style, leading the National League in hit batsmen five times over eight years. Drysdale’s approach to the game, which often involved intimidating opposing hitters rather than outpitching them, made him a feared and, in many circles, disliked player.
His reputation for brushback pitches and a willingness to use his fastball as a weapon contributed to his infamy. Despite the animosity, Drysdale’s prowess on the mound is undeniable, though his style of play remains a controversial topic among baseball purists.