Some MLB players walk off into the sunset with standing ovations and tearful goodbyes. Others? They take the express train to controversy, confusion, or complete combustion.
From unexpected exits to long, drawn-out messes, these careers ended not with grace, but with a bang, a scandal, or just plain weirdness. Whether it was drama with the front office, the media, or their own choices, these guys didn’t exactly leave the game quietly.
17. David Ortiz
Big Papi’s farewell tour was a lovefest, but then that bizarre shooting incident in the Dominican Republic stirred up some strange headlines. It didn’t derail his legacy but added a chaotic postscript to his career finale.
16. Darryl Strawberry
Strawberry had all the talent, but his off-field issues constantly got in the way. By the time his career ended, it was more about the what-ifs than the stats.
15. Roger Clemens
He went from throwing heaters to dodging steroid allegations at congressional hearings. His exit from baseball was more courtroom than ballpark.
14. Josh Hamilton
His story was already filled with highs and lows, but his final act was completely unraveling. Injuries, suspensions, and personal issues made for a rough landing.
13. Jose Canseco
Canseco’s playing career faded out, but the chaos only ramped up. From reality TV to tweeting about aliens, his post-baseball antics overshadowed his exit.
12. Alex Rodriguez
One of the most polarizing players ever didn’t exactly ride off into the sunset. Between the PED suspension and the awkward return, his exit was as messy as his reputation.
11. Bobby Bonilla
Technically, Bonilla’s career ended years ago, but we’re still talking about him every July 1st. His deferred contract became more famous than his final games.
10. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny took a weird turn when he got hit with not one, but two PED suspensions. He tried a few comebacks, but they fizzled fast.
9. Barry Bonds
The all-time home run king never officially retired—he just stopped getting calls. The steroid cloud and icy relationships made for an unceremonious end.
8. Trevor Bauer
From Cy Young winner to complete MLB exile, his fall was sudden and dramatic. Off-the-field issues made his name untouchable in a matter of months.
7. Dwight Gooden
Doc Gooden had the world in his hands like his teammate Strawberry and couldn’t hold onto it. His career ended in a blur of suspensions and missed chances.
6. Milton Bradley
He was a walking headline, and not in a good way. His anger issues and off-field troubles caught up with him quickly at the end.
5. Sammy Sosa
Once the smiling face of baseball, he vanished from the Cubs and never returned. The PED whispers and strange post-career behavior left fans scratching their heads.
4. Curt Schilling
He was already controversial during his playing days, but his retirement years have been a Twitter-fueled chaos machine. From political rants to canceled deals, it’s been nonstop noise.
3. Pete Rose
OK, he wasn’t banned as a player, but the fallout from the betting scandal engulfed the end of his on-field career. Baseball’s hit king never got a proper goodbye.
Read More: 15 NBA Players Who Were Built for Chaos, Not Composure
2. Ryan Braun
One minute he was the golden boy, the next he was suspended and apologizing for a major PED mess. His career limped to the finish line after a public fall from grace.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Dramatic Quarterback Exits of All Time
1. Roberto Alomar
He was once considered among the best second basemen, but a post-retirement misconduct scandal rocked his reputation. MLB distanced itself completely, erasing what should’ve been a celebrated legacy.
Read More: 10 Times Referees Changed the Outcome of a Major Game
