Before they were revered, they were reviled. Whether it was trash talk, temper tantrums, or just a little too much swagger, these MLB stars spent a chunk of their careers being booed before they were ever celebrated.
Some leaned into the villain role early on, only to earn the respect of fans once their stats spoke louder than their antics. Others were misunderstood from the jump and needed time (and maybe a few championship rings) to win everyone over. Here are 25 players who went from hated to heralded in the most dramatic baseball fashion.
25. Manny Ramirez
Manny being Manny wasn’t always endearing—it used to be infuriating. But over time, the goofy behavior, big bat, and postseason heroics made him a fan favorite.
24. A.J. Pierzynski
Known for being a total pest, Pierzynski rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. But as his clutch moments stacked up, so did the grudging admiration.
23. Bryce Harper
He entered the league with sky-high hype and an even bigger ego. Fans couldn’t stand him-until he started delivering MVP seasons and highlight-reel bombs.
22. Alex Rodriguez
From the early days of jealousy to the steroid scandal, A-Rod was an easy target. Eventually, though, his redemption arc—and 696 homers—softened the hate.
21. Pete Rose
Charlie Hustle played like every game was life or death, and not everyone appreciated the intensity. Controversy followed him, but so did legendary stats.
20. Reggie Jackson
Mr. October talked a big game and rubbed teammates and opponents the wrong way. But those clutch postseason performances sealed his legend status.
19. Randy Johnson
The Big Unit’s death stare alone was enough to make people root against him. Then he started mowing down hitters with historic consistency, and the respect followed.
18. Barry Bonds
Whether it was the attitude or the aura of arrogance, Bond was easy to dislike. But the numbers don’t lie, and even the biggest haters had to admit: he was on another level.
17. Roger Clemens
Early on, Clemens was seen as brash and over-the-top competitive. His dominance on the mound eventually silenced most of the critics, at least on the field.
16. Dennis Eckersley
With his fist pumps and swagger, Eckersley wasn’t exactly beloved in his prime. But now he’s considered one of the most iconic closers the game has ever seen.
15. David Ortiz
His slow starts in Boston had fans doubting him, and his cocky flair didn’t help. But Big Papi’s clutch gene and personality turned him into a New England legend.
14. Albert Belle
His explosive temper made him one of the most feared and disliked players in the game. Over time, though, people couldn’t ignore just how dominant he was at the plate.
13. Rickey Henderson
Confidence? Try borderline cockiness. But when you’re the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, the villain label fades quickly.
12. Curt Schilling
Known for being outspoken and intense, Schilling didn’t always win popularity contests. But those bloody sock moments live rent-free in baseball history.
11. Gary Sheffield
With a bat waggle full of attitude, Sheffield’s demeanor turned fans off at first. But his power, consistency, and fearlessness made him a force to be reckoned with.
10. Yadier Molina
Opposing fans couldn’t stand his defensive dominance and fiery demeanor. But inside St. Louis, he became nothing short of a baseball icon.
9. Pedro Martinez
Pedro never backed down and never held back, whether on the mound or in front of a mic. That bravado earned boos at first—but now, it’s part of his legend.
8. Joey Votto
Votto’s quirky style and deadpan humor didn’t click with everyone early in his career. But once fans caught on to the genius behind the madness, they came around.
7. Mark McGwire
He wasn’t always seen as a hero, especially with the cloud of steroids looming. But the home run race brought baseball back to life—and McGwire with it.
6. Jose Bautista
That bat flip will live in infamy—or glory, depending on who you ask. Either way, Bautista’s flair eventually earned him cult-hero status.
5. Justin Verlander
His fiery presence and elite confidence rubbed some the wrong way in his early days. But longevity and a mountain of accolades flipped the script.
4. Josh Donaldson
He played with a chip on his shoulder that often came off as arrogance. But few could deny he was one of the best when locked in.
3. Trevor Bauer
Known for stirring the pot and being unapologetically himself, Bauer leaned into villainy. But a Cy Young season and electric stuff put him in the spotlight for more than just drama.
Read More: 16 WNBA Players Who Embraced the Villain Role
2. Javier Báez
Early on, Báez’s flair and flash weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Over time, though, his defensive wizardry and swagger made him a must-watch baseball player.
Read More: 15 Players Who Were Born to Be Tennis Villains
1. Carlos Zambrano
Big Z’s tantrums and fiery temper earned him plenty of enemies. But as time passed, even his biggest critics came to appreciate the passion behind the chaos.
Read More: 19 Golfers Who Were Born to Be Country Club Villains
