Baseball may be America’s pastime, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s playing nice. Some legends leave the game with a World Series ring, others with a grudge that sticks tighter than pine tar.
Whether it was a front office betrayal, a rival player’s antics, or just some good old-fashioned bad blood, these guys never really let it go. From cold shoulders to frozen relationships, these are the baseball legends who never buried the hatchet—and never really wanted to.
12. Curt Schilling
Schilling was never one to mince words, and if he had a grudge, you were going to hear about it. He’s spent years airing grievances, from media snubs to Hall of Fame snubs—and he’s not letting go.
11. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October delivered in the clutch but never forgot the slights along the way. If you crossed Reggie, you could expect to remain on his list for decades.
10. Jose Canseco
Canseco turned burning bridges into a second career. From throwing former teammates under the bus to calling out the league, Jose’s grudges have long outlived his playing days.
9. Pete Rose
The Hit King is still waiting on a Hall of Fame call that may never come—and he’s made sure everyone knows he’s not over it. His feud with baseball’s powers-that-be has lasted longer than his career.
8. Dennis Eckersley
Eckersley didn’t appreciate being snubbed by teammates or dismissed by management, and he’s been vocal about it for years. His feud with David Price is just one of many examples of lingering tension.
7. Jeff Kent
Kent wasn’t exactly a clubhouse favorite and didn’t go out of his way to mend fences. Even years after retirement, he’s stayed salty about everything from teammates to award snubs.
6. Albert Belle
Known for his intensity on the field, Belle carried that fire off the field, too. He didn’t forgive, didn’t forget, and definitely didn’t apologize.
5. Roger Clemens
Clemens’ legacy is wrapped in dominance—and a whole lot of drama. Whether it’s the media, the Hall of Fame, or former rivals, the Rocket has never been shy about keeping receipts.
4. Gary Sheffield
Sheffield made a career out of hitting bombs and speaking his mind. He’s been vocal about perceived slights and isn’t exactly in a hurry to smooth things over.
3. Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds never seemed too interested in reconciliation, whether it was with the media, the league, or certain teammates. The man could hit home runs, but extending an olive branch was never his game.
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2. John Rocker
Rocker stirred controversy during his playing days and doubled down on it in retirement. If you were expecting apologies or amends, you clearly didn’t know John Rocker.
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1. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod’s career was filled with drama, tension, and fractured relationships—many of which never fully healed. He’s tried to polish his image, but the trail of unburied hatchets behind him tells a different story.
