Baseball is a sport where confidence can carry you a long way. But occasionally, that confidence turns into full-blown delusion—and suddenly you’ve got a guy batting .212 who still thinks he’s a future Hall of Famer.
These players believed their hype a little too much, whether or not their stats backed it up. Some were one-season wonders who never stopped celebrating, while others never got the memo that the league had passed them by. Let’s count down the 15 most delusional MLB stars of all time.
15. Mike Napoli
Napoli hit bombs and partied like he was Babe Ruth’s cooler cousin. Even when his production dipped, he carried himself like the heartbeat of every lineup he touched.
14. Eric Hosmer
Hosmer looked like a franchise cornerstone and sure acted like one. But after his World Series glow faded, the confidence stayed strong while the numbers… didn’t.
13. Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon pitched like he was the final boss of baseball, even when he was just another aging reliever. He once tried to choke a teammate, but still talked like a clubhouse leader.
12. Yasiel Puig
Puig thought every at-bat was a movie premiere starring him. He had flashes of brilliance, but played like he was already a legend after year one.
11. Matt Harvey
Harvey crowned himself “The Dark Knight” and lived like Gotham needed him. The injuries piled up, but he never seemed to stop believing in his myth.
10. A.J. Pierzynski
Pierzynski played with an edge, and he thought every team was better with him on it. Opponents and some of his teammates didn’t always agree.
9. Barry Zito
Zito got paid like an ace and carried himself like one long after his ERA ballooned. He was convinced he was still dominating even as hitters teed off.
8. Carl Crawford
Crawford cashed in with Boston and walked in like a superstar. However, the results never followed, and he always seemed confused about why people were frustrated.
7. Delmon Young
Young was drafted with sky-high expectations and acted like he’d already fulfilled them. He played every game like he was still the phenom from a scouting report written ten years earlier.
6. Trevor Bauer
Bauer never saw a camera he didn’t like or a mic he wouldn’t talk into. He believed he was changing the game, even when the league had other plans.
5. José Canseco
Canseco hit home runs and then never let anyone forget it. He still talks like he’s the future of baseball even in retirement, with conspiracy theories to match.
4. Josh Hamilton
Hamilton’s raw talent was undeniable, but he often played like he was immune to slumps. Even as his game declined, he carried himself like a one-person dynasty.
3. Joba Chamberlain
Joba came in hot and believed the hype immediately. Even after his role faded, he acted like he was just one pitch away from being elite again.
Read More: 15 Most Boastful MLB Stars of All Time
2. Nick Swisher
Swisher’s energy was contagious, but his self-perception often eclipsed his performance. He smiled, fist-pumped, and bro-hugged through every slump like it didn’t matter.
Read More: The 15 Most Egotistical Players in MLB History
1. Rickey Henderson
Rickey wasn’t just delusional—he was mythological. He once said he was the best of all time and genuinely seemed surprised when anyone questioned it.
Read More: 15 MLB Players Who Fell Short Under Pressure
