There are some MLB players you couldn’t help but admire, even if they constantly broke your team’s heart. Whether it was their effortless talent, clutch moments, or just the fact that they made baseball look way too easy, these guys had the kind of careers that sparked envy from every dugout not lucky enough to have them.
Opposing fans booed them out of principle, but deep down, they would’ve sold their souls to see them in their team’s colors. From flashy outfielders to unhittable aces, here are 20 MLB stars who stirred up equal parts frustration and admiration across the league.
20. Paul Goldschmidt
Quiet, consistent, and a total nightmare at the plate, Goldschmidt has been crushing dreams for over a decade. Opposing fans envied how easily he made MVP-level play look without needing the spotlight.
19. Josh Hamilton
For a few magical years, Hamilton was a walking highlight reel with raw power that made stadiums gasp. Fans hated facing him, but couldn’t look away when he launched another moonshot.
18. CC Sabathia
With a bulldog mentality and postseason poise, Sabathia always seemed to show up when it mattered most. Opposing fans dreaded those big-game starts but secretly wished he were taking the mound for them.
17. Christian Yelich
When Yelich caught fire, it felt like he was playing a different sport than everyone else. He had the MVP season every fan base dreams about, just not on their team.
16. Manny Ramirez
Say what you want about Manny being Manny, but that dude could hit like nobody’s business. Even if he drove you crazy, you wished he were your problem instead.
15. Buster Posey
Posey was the guy who played the game the “right way” and still somehow won all the time. Catchers aren’t usually jealousy magnets, but he made it look classy and fabulous.
14. Andrew McCutchen
In his prime, McCutchen had the perfect mix of speed, swagger, and MVP-caliber production. Pirates fans adored him, and everyone else wished he played in their uniform.
13. Max Scherzer
The eyes alone told you he was about to dominate, and more often than not, he did. Watching him pump 97 mph gas while snarling was terrifying and awesome.
12. Vladimir Guerrero
He swung at pitches in the dirt and still hit lasers—how do you not envy that? Vlad was pure chaos at the plate, and fans of every team knew they didn’t have anything like him.
11. Clayton Kershaw
Sure, people loved to nitpick his playoff numbers, but everyone still wanted a Kershaw. His curveball made hitters look silly, and opposing fans were green with envy.
10. Ichiro Suzuki
There was nothing like watching Ichiro slap a single and then steal second before you blinked. Every fan base wished they had someone so effortlessly cool and freakishly skilled.
9. Mike Piazza
He redefined the catcher position by hitting bombs while rocking frosted tips and swagger. Opposing fans couldn’t stand how often he mashed—but deep down, they wanted him behind their plate.
8. Pedro Martinez
He made hitters look clueless and then flashed a grin that made it worse. Pedro dominated with flair, and every non-Red Sox fan was secretly jealous of his fire and finesse.
7. David Ortiz
There wasn’t a clutch moment Big Papi didn’t own, and that drove other fan bases up the wall. But admit it—you’d have loved seeing him hit walk-offs in your city.
6. Alex Rodriguez
Yes, he had drama. Yes, he had flair. And yes, he had one of the most ridiculous skill sets baseball’s ever seen. Even if you claimed to hate him, you envied him.
5. Derek Jeter
Was he a little overrated? Maybe. But Jeter won, made it look smooth, and had the whole captain thing cold. Opposing fans wanted to roll their eyes—but they also wanted their own Jeter.
4. Shohei Ohtani
The unicorn of the sport, Ohtani’s two-way brilliance, makes even the most bitter rival fans stop and stare. You can’t be mad at greatness like that—you can only wish it wore your team’s colors.
3. Ken Griffey Jr.
The backward hat, the perfect swing, the charisma, no matter the jersey. Even if you weren’t a Mariners fan, you were.
2. Barry Bonds
Before the controversy, he was already a legend. During it, he became must-watch mayhem. Fans booed because they couldn’t believe what they saw and wished they could root for it.
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1. Fernando Tatís Jr.
Tatís brings energy, flash, and swagger, making baseball feel electric again. Even if you’re tired of the bat flips, don’t lie—you’d lose your mind if he did it for your squad.
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