Baseball fans are fiercely loyal to their favorite players—but that loyalty doesn’t always travel well. For every universally beloved slugger, there’s a hometown hero who rubbed rival fans (and sometimes teammates) the wrong way.
These 25 MLB stars had the undying support of their fan bases while being booed, mocked, or flat-out despised everywhere else. Whether it was their cocky demeanor, dirty plays, or just plain dominance, these guys were lightning rods from coast to coast.
25. Joc Pederson
Dodger fans loved his power and postseason pop, but everyone else seemed to roll their eyes at the pearls and the bat flips. Joc just didn’t care what the haters thought—and that made them even madder.
24. Carlos Correa
Astros fans clung to him like a lifeline during the cheating scandal. The rest of the league never forgave him for being both defiant and talented.
23. Nick Swisher
Yankee fans adored his goofy charm and clutch bat. Other fan bases saw him as way too loud for someone batting .250.
22. Manny Ramirez
Boston fans treated Manny like royalty for his otherworldly hitting. But his antics, aloofness, and “Manny being Manny” moments annoyed just about everyone else.
21. Yadier Molina
Cardinals fans viewed him as a living legend. Opponents saw him as a constant whiner who worked the umps like a second job.
20. Alex Bregman
Houston fans saw a future MVP and fearless leader. Everyone else just saw smugness and a whole lot of trash can drama.
19. Brett Gardner
Yankee fans embraced his fire and dugout-smashing tantrums. The rest of the league saw an angry garden gnome who never let anything go.
18. José Bautista
Toronto loved him for the bat flips and the bombs. But that infamous punch from Rougned Odor proved he wasn’t exactly winning popularity contests.
17. Bryce Harper
Nationals and now Phillies fans treat him like a rock star. But for years, the rest of the league saw him as baseball’s biggest diva.
16. Yasiel Puig
Dodgers fans loved his rocket arm and wild energy. Everyone else thought he was a walking headache with a flair for unnecessary drama.
15. A.J. Pierzynski
White Sox fans swore he was just competitive. Everyone else thought he was flat-out annoying.
14. Pete Rose
Reds fans still worship him like a baseball god. But between the betting, the controversies, and his attitude, he wasn’t exactly beloved beyond Cincinnati.
13. Josh Donaldson
A’s and Blue Jays fans appreciated his fire. Everyone else thought he was a little too intense for someone who never stops chirping.
12. Jonathan Papelbon
Red Sox Nation loved his intensity (and his dance moves). But his short fuse and weird fights made him an easy villain elsewhere.
11. Chris Sale
Boston fans backed his bulldog mentality. Other teams just saw the guy who cut up jerseys and screamed at everyone.
10. Carlos Zambrano
Cubs fans were mesmerized by the emotion and raw talent. The rest of us just remember the tantrums and broken water coolers.
9. Barry Bonds
Giants fans stood by him through the records and the rumors. But pretty much every other fanbase still winces at the word “BALCO.”
8. Trevor Bauer
Before the controversy, his own fans appreciated the dominance and the data-driven weirdness. Everyone else? Not so much—even before things got ugly.
7. Curt Schilling
Red Sox fans still get misty-eyed thinking about the bloody sock. But the rest of the baseball world has a hard time separating the pitching from, well, everything else.
6. John Rocker
Braves fans once saw him as a fiery closer. But after some infamous comments, everyone else wanted nothing to do with him.
5. Roger Clemens
Boston, Toronto, and New York fans all had their moments of love. But steroid rumors and his scowl made him one of the most disliked legends ever.
4. Ryan Braun
Brewers fans forgave him after the suspension. But baseball purists across the country didn’t forget how it all went down.
3. Jose Canseco
A’s fans embraced the swagger and moonshots. But his ego, antics, and tell-all attitude made him a national spectacle.
2. Alex Rodriguez
Yankees fans (eventually) embraced him, even with the drama. But fans of every other team saw a walking soap opera who always found the camera.
1. Reggie Jackson
Yankee fans called him “Mr. October” for a reason. Everyone else just called him cocky, brash, and impossible not to notice.
