Not every baseball legend walked off into the sunset with universal praise and a standing ovation. Some greats stirred controversy, rubbed people the wrong way, or just had a knack for turning boos into background noise.
From clubhouse drama to fanbase fatigue, these stars built their legacies on talent and turbulence. Whether it was a bad attitude, a big mouth, or just a reputation that never quite healed, here are 18 all-time greats who were anything but universally adored.
18. Curt Schilling
He pitched like a hero in October but never missed an opportunity to invite backlash off the field. Schilling’s post-career became a bigger story than most of his playoff starts.
17. Barry Bonds
One of the greatest hitters ever also might’ve had the most complicated relationship with fans and media. Dominant on the field, distant everywhere else.
16. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod had the numbers, the scandals, and a whole lot of awkward interviews. He reinvented himself as a broadcaster, but his playing days left plenty of people shaking their heads.
15. Ty Cobb
Old-school greatness mixed with a reputation for being one of the nastiest guys in baseball history. Stories of spikes and scowls followed him long after retirement.
14. Manny Ramirez
He hit bombs and brought chaos, and “Manny being Manny” wasn’t always a good thing. Fans were entertained, but teammates and managers often weren’t.
13. Jose Canseco
He mashed homers and blew the lid off baseball’s steroid era—then kept talking long after the games ended. Canseco never minded playing the villain if it meant staying in the spotlight.
12. Roger Clemens
Few pitchers dominated like Clemens, but his attitude and PED whispers always loomed large. He burned bridges in multiple cities and never quite escaped the cloud.
11. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October had a knack for drama, whether it was in the box or the clubhouse. His confidence bordered on arrogance, and not everyone bought into the show.
10. Albert Belle
Pitchers feared him, but fans and media? Not so much. Belle’s surly demeanor made sure his powerful bat wasn’t the only thing that made headlines.
9. Sammy Sosa
He was once beloved for his home run race, but things got weird in a hurry. From corked bats to clubhouse feuds to a bizarre post-career image shift, Sosa’s legacy is anything but simple.
8. Pete Rose
Baseball’s all-time hits leader also earned a lifetime ban. Rose played hard, but he played dirty too, on and off the field.
7. Gary Sheffield
He crushed the ball and never held back with his opinions. Sheffield’s fiery personality made him respected, but rarely loved.
6. Mark McGwire
For a while, he saved baseball, but the goodwill didn’t last. His link to steroids tainted the thunderous home runs and dimmed his public image.
5. Dennis Eckersley
He was dominant on the mound and even more dominant with his words. Not everyone appreciated his outspoken style, mainly when it targeted fellow players.
4. John Rocker
A fastball and a fuse—that’s what Rocker brought to the table. His infamous interviews quickly overshadowed anything he did on the mound.
3. Ricky Henderson
No one stole more bases or talked more about themselves. His legendary ego made him entertaining, but not exactly endearing.
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2. Carl Everett
He didn’t believe in dinosaurs and didn’t care what people thought. Off-field oddities and confrontations often eclipsed Everett’s on-field talent
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1. Roberto Alomar
A Hall of Fame talent with a Hall of Fame controversy following him. Spitting on an umpire was just the beginning of a career that always had a dark side.
