There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness—and these players flew past it like a hanging curveball. Whether it was the constant trash talk, the refusal to own up to mistakes, or the smug postgame interviews, their arrogance rubbed fans and opponents the wrong way for years.
Baseball might be a team sport, but these guys never seemed to get that memo. From bat flips to press conference jabs, they made sure the spotlight stayed firmly on themselves—even when it wasn’t earned.
15. Trevor Bauer
Bauer never met a mic he didn’t like or a Twitter beef he wouldn’t join. His polarizing personality made him a lightning rod long before his off-field issues took center stage.
14. Bryce Harper
With the hair flips, swagger, and signature “clown question” retort, Harper oozed self-importance from the jump. Even when he was struggling, he walked like he owned the league.
13. A.J. Pierzynski
Pierzynski made a career out of getting under people’s skin—and seemed to enjoy every second of it. Teammates, opponents, and umpires, no one was safe from his constant need to be that guy.
12. Manny Ramirez
“Manny being Manny” was fun for a while, until it wasn’t. His antics often crossed into diva territory, and he never seemed all that bothered by how it impacted his team.
11. Josh Donaldson
Donaldson has always carried himself like he was the smartest guy in the room—even when his play didn’t back it up. His constant need to stir the pot didn’t exactly make him beloved in clubhouses.
10. Alex Rodriguez
Before his late-career image rehab, A-Rod was the poster child for baseball arrogance. The fake humility and on-field ego made him one of the most disliked stars of his era.
9. José Canseco
Canseco bragged his way through the ’90s and then doubled down with tell-all books and wild accusations. His need to be the center of attention never wavered, even in retirement.
8. Yasiel Puig
Puig brought plenty of flair to the field, but his antics often came off as self-serving rather than spirited. From bat flips to base-running blunders, his swagger usually outpaced his results.
7. Barry Bonds
Bonds didn’t just think he was better than everyone—he made sure you knew it. The icy demeanor, the clubhouse drama, and the record-setting ego all made him a tough guy to root for.
6. Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon acted like every save was a World Championship. His intensity often veered into eye-roll territory, and that dugout choke incident didn’t exactly scream “humble teammate.”
5. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October had no issue reminding you of just how clutch he was. His confidence bordered on cartoonish, and his “I’m the straw that stirs the drink” line became the blueprint for big-league ego.
4. Milton Bradley
Bradley’s temper and attitude made him one of the most volatile personalities in the league. He blamed teammates, fans, and the media, never once taking a look in the mirror.
3. Roger Clemens
Clemens pitched with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and carried himself like he was untouchable. His “above it all” attitude never left, even when scandals swirled.
Read More: 15 MLB Stars Who Played the Victim Every Time Things Went Wrong
2. Curt Schilling
Schilling never missed an opportunity to make himself the main character. Whether it was grandstanding in interviews or trying to rewrite history, his ego was always front and center.
Read More: 25 MLB Players Whose Egos Could Fill the Outfield
1. Manny Machado
Machado plays with a swagger that often feels more smug than smooth. From half-hearted hustle to unapologetic attitude, he’s long embraced the role of baseball’s ultimate arrogant star.
Read More: The 15 Most Conceited MLB Stars of All Time
