Some MLB players become legends for their loyalty and charm. And then there are the guys on this list—the ones who seemed to burn bridges no matter what city they landed in.
Whether it was attitude issues, underwhelming performances, or just an uncanny ability to rub fans the wrong way, these players didn’t exactly leave warm memories behind. Here are 15 MLB stars who alienated just about every fanbase they touched.
15. Melky Cabrera
Melky had his moments, but he always left fans wondering if the juice was worth the squeeze. Between PED suspensions and inconsistent play, trust was always a tough sell.
14. Carl Pavano
Yankees fans still twitch at the mention of his name, and it didn’t get better elsewhere. Injuries, missed expectations, and a vibe that screamed “meh” followed him everywhere.
13. A.J. Pierzynski
Even his own teammates sometimes struggled to tolerate him, let alone opposing fanbases. His scrappy play and constant chirping made him one of the most disliked catchers in the league.
12. Josh Hamilton
His story had moments of redemption, but each return seemed to come with more drama. Texas fans were burned the worst, and his second stint only poured salt in old wounds.
11. J.D. Drew
He had all the tools and none of the passion—at least that’s how fans saw it. From refusing to sign out of college to underwhelming in key moments, he never really won anyone over.
10. Yasiel Puig
Puig brought fire and flair, but it often felt more like chaos than charisma. Each new team hoped he’d mature, and each time fans were left disappointed.
9. Milton Bradley
Wherever Milton went, controversy followed closely behind. From blowups with umpires to feuds with fans, he left a trail of scorched earth.
8. Kevin Brown
He was a big-time pitcher with a short fuse and a cold demeanor. Fans respected his talent, but warmth and connection? Not part of the package.
7. Jonathan Papelbon
Intensity was his brand, but it came off as arrogance more often than not. Even when he was saving games, fans found it hard to rally behind him.
6. B.J. Upton
He had all the potential in the world and rarely delivered when it counted. Every new uniform brought hope, and every season ended in groans.
5. Jeff Kent
Grumpy might as well have been his middle name. Fans never got the sense he enjoyed the game—or cared what they thought.
4. Matt Garza
He bounced from team to team like a well-traveled storm cloud. He had the stuff, but his confrontational attitude left fans rolling their eyes.
3. Alex Rios
He could look like a star one week and disappear the next, and fans never knew what they were going to get. That kind of rollercoaster wears thin fast.
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2. Manny Ramirez
As electric as he was at the plate, “Manny being Manny” wore out its welcome real quick. Every fanbase eventually learned there was always baggage with the brilliance.
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1. Barry Bonds
He was one of the greatest to ever play, but almost no one enjoyed rooting for him. Cold to fans, combative with the media, and constantly surrounded by controversy, Bonds felt like a villain in every park—even his own.
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