Baseball is a game of skill, strategy, and—sometimes—spectacular meltdowns. While most MLB players keep their cool, a select few have thrown tantrums so epic that you’d think they were back in Little League, stomping their feet and tossing their gloves. These moments have become legendary for the drama and the sheer entertainment value they bring to fans everywhere.
From dugout destruction to on-field theatrics, these major leaguers have shown that even the pros can lose their tempers. So grab your popcorn and prepare for a countdown of 17 MLB players who threw tantrums like they were in Little League.
17. Jose Offerman
Jose Offerman’s outburst in the Atlantic League was so over-the-top that it ended his comeback hopes. Charging the mound with a bat in hand, Offerman ensured everyone remembered his name for all the wrong reasons.
16. Jack McDowell
Jack McDowell’s infamous gesture to Yankees fans after a rough outing is still discussed in New York. He didn’t just leave the mound—he left a lasting impression with a salute that was anything but friendly.
15. Carlos Gomez
When Carlos Gomez got frustrated in the dugout, no cooler was safe. His bat met the water cooler repeatedly, and water flew everywhere, making for a memorable, if messy, tantrum.
14. Chris Sale
Chris Sale’s meltdown during a rehab start saw him take out his anger on a clubhouse TV. He later apologized, but not before the broken screen symbolized his frustration.
13. Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano’s temper was legendary, and his meltdowns were must-see TV. From firing a baseball into the stands to demolishing a Gatorade cooler, he turned every tantrum into a performance.
12. Brett Myers
Brett Myers was known for his fiery personality. He never backed down from a confrontation, whether with an umpire or a reporter. His temper was always close to the surface.
11. David Wells
David Wells loved the spotlight, helmets, and words would fly, but when things didn’t go his way. His dugout outbursts were as much a part of his game as his curveball.
10. Jake Peavy
Jake Peavy’s competitive spirit sometimes boiled over, leading to animated rants and dramatic mound visits. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, and everyone in the ballpark knew it.
9. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens’ tantrums are the stuff of legend, including when he hurled a bat fragment at Mike Piazza during the World Series. His short fuse made him as famous for his outbursts as for his pitching.
8. Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla wasn’t shy about pitching inside or letting his temper flare. He was in the middle of more than a few heated on-field exchanges.
7. Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson’s glare could freeze a hitter, but his temper could melt steel. His blowups, both on the mound and in the dugout, made him one of the most intimidating presences in the game.
6. Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina’s perfectionist streak meant he didn’t always handle mistakes well. His heated exchanges and frustration showed how much he cared about every pitch.
5. Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez was a magician on the mound and a firecracker when things got heated. His most famous tantrum saw him toss Don Zimmer to the ground during a playoff brawl, a moment that lives on in baseball lore.
4. Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown’s intensity sometimes got the best of him, leading to some epic dugout destruction. He punched a wall after a bad start, sidelining himself and hurting his team’s chances.
3. Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke’s calm exterior could quickly give way to a fiery outburst. His dugout explosions and intense mound moments showed that even the coolest players can lose their cool.
Read More: 15 MLB Managers Who Treated Every Loss Like the End of the World
2. Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer’s tantrums are almost as famous as his pitching. Whether launching a ball over the center field fence or sparring with fans, he’s never been shy about showing his frustration.
Read More: 15 NFL QBs Who Threw More Tantrums Than Dimes
1. Rob Dibble
Rob Dibble tops the list for his legendary lack of restraint. Dibble’s tantrums were truly Little League-level, just with a bigger stage, from throwing baseballs into the outfield in anger to getting into heated arguments.
Read More: 15 MLB Pitchers Who Threw More Tantrums Than Strikes
