The Angriest Players in Baseball History
Baseball is a sport that moves at its own pace, one that rewards patience and precision. Predictably, the sport has rewarded calm, cerebral players who take a measured approach on the mound, at bat, or in the field. That said, baseball has had its fair share of tantrum-prone players despite its sedate reputation.
From players who've clashed with their teammates to those who've literally attacked fans in the stands, baseball has had plenty of fiery characters over the decades — and these just may be the angriest.
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb's playing career ended around a century ago, but he continues to loom large in baseball lore not just for his hitting ability, but also for his combustible temper.
From intentionally spiking his opponents while running the bases (Cobb reportedly made a show of sharpening his spikes in the dugout) to clashing with hotel and service staff on the road, Ty Cobb had a knack for making enemies everywhere he went. In perhaps his most famous temper tantrum, he jumped into the stands to beat up a heckler in 1912. When fans pointed out that the heckler had only partial use of his hands, Cobb replied, "I don't care if he has no feet!"
Carlos Zambrano
"Big Z" was a gifted yet anger-prone pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who would frequently melt down when things didn't go his way. He was repeatedly ejected for arguing with umpires and had a testy relationship with teammates as well.
In 2010, he berated teammate Derrek Lee in the dugout and the two nearly came to blows. In another incident, he took a bat to a Gatorade cooler in the dugout and smashed it repeatedly. In 2011, after giving up five home runs in a game, he cleaned out his locker and threatened retirement. The Cubs called his bluff and he never pitched for them again.
Milton Bradley
Bradley was a speedy outfielder who could hit for power, but personal issues ensured that he never played for one team for long. During his MLB career, he bounced around between eight different teams.
In 2007, Bradley was so heated during a confrontation with an umpire that he tore his ACL. He also let fans get under his skin, as he repeatedly engaged in name-calling with fans in the stands. In one incident, he threw a bottle at a fan who was giving him a hard time.
Rob Dibble
One of the Cincinnati Reds' "Nasty Boys" bullpen that helped the team win the 1990 World Series, Dibble had a reputation for being one of the most intimidating — and downright angriest — pitchers of his era. Dibble clashed with manager Lou Piniella, with the two getting into a high-profile dugout fight.
Dibble also got into a fight with Mets infielder Gregg Jefferies in a memorable dust-up. After his playing career, Dibble carried his combative attitude into sports broadcasting, where controversial comments got him fired from a role as an analyst for the Washington Nationals.
George Brett
George Brett was an affable but highly competitive star for the Kansas City Royals — and one of his signature moments came in the midst of a legendary temper tantrum after he hit a home run.
In what became known as the "Pine Tar Incident," Brett hit a clutch home run against the Yankees, only to have it called back because he had too much pine tar on his bat. A livid Brett exploded out of the dugout in a blind rage, turning beet red and needing to be restrained by the umpires.
Albert Belle
One of the most feared power hitters of the '90s, Albert Belle isn't often mentioned with the likes of McGwire and Sosa, even though he racked up 381 career home runs.
Perhaps Belle isn't remembered as fondly because his surly, combative attitude rubbed fans, media members, and even teammates the wrong way. Belle intentionally threw a ball at a fan who heckled him in 1996, and off the field wound up in trouble for confrontations with photographers and various legal issues.
Brett Myers
Pitcher Brett Myers helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series, but he cultivated a disturbing reputation for anger and violence both on and off the field. He once berated a reporter in the clubhouse and had to be physically separated from the confrontation, in addition to other on-field outbursts and arguments with coaches and teammates.
In the biggest black mark against Myers, he was arrested in 2006 for assaulting his wife in public after reportedly punching her outside a Boston bar. The charges were later dropped, but they didn't help his reputation.
Pascual Pérez
During his '80s and early '90s playing career, no one — not even teammates — seemed to know what pitcher Pascual Pérez was going to do next. He developed a reputation for weird behavior like pointing fingers, pirouetting off the mound, and throwing at batters — seemingly at random.
In a 1984 bench-clearing brawl between the Padres and Pérez's Braves, Pérez set the tone early on by throwing at a Padres batter. He wasn't thrown out of the game, and his taunting and antics helped to pour fuel on the fire, leading to one of the most epic brawls of all time.
A.J. Pierzynski
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski's track record speaks for itself, with a long career behind the plate and two All-Star appearances to his name. However, part of what made Pierzynski successful was his competitive drive, and as a result he would frequently cross the line.
Pierzynski was known for frequent arguments, trash-talking, and getting under the skin of opponents. In 2006, after being tagged out at the plate, he aggressively bumped into opposing catcher Michael Barrett, prompting Barrett to punch him in the face and subsequently sparking an epic brawl.
Kevin Brown
Pitcher Kevin Brown was an underrated star during the '90s, but his successes on the mound were tempered by bouts of moodiness and destructive postgame tantrums.
With the Yankees in 2004, Brown was so upset after a poor outing that he punched a clubhouse wall — with his throwing hand. This self-inflicted injury sidelined him during a crucial stretch of the season and helped to cement his angry reputation.
John Rocker
John Rocker had a meteoric career, playing just six seasons, but the offensive pitcher certainly made an impression during his brief playing days. Rocker was an emotional pitcher who frequently lost command and composure during high-stress situations.
During his peak with the Braves, Rocker made just about everyone angry when he gave a shockingly offensive interview to Sports Illustrated — one that was full of bigoted, homophobic, and xenophobic remarks directed at New Yorkers.
José Offerman
José Offerman was known for having a short fuse during his MLB career, but it was during his post-MLB playing days that his temper really came into its own.
Playing in an independent league in 2007, Offerman was hit by a pitch and responded by charging the mound — without letting go of his bat. He hit the pitcher and catcher, both of whom required hospitalization. Later, in 2010, while managing in the Dominican Winter League, he straight-up punched an umpire during an argument and was banned for life from the league.
Manny Ramirez
While Manny Ramirez is best remembered for a happy, joyous attitude (and allegations of performance-enhancing substances), he was also a notoriously volatile personality during his playing days. In 2008, he got into a physical altercation with teammate Kevin Youkilis in the Red Sox dugout.
It must have been a trying season for Ramirez because he also reportedly shoved a Red Sox traveling secretary during that same season. The Red Sox had had enough and traded him mid-season.
Delmon Young
Delmon Young was viewed as a phenom, but his uncontrollable anger hindered what looked like it could have been a legendary career. In 2006, while still in the minor leagues, he was suspended 50 games for throwing a bat at an umpire.
After breaking into the big leagues, Young frequently got into spats with coaches and teammates. In 2012, he was arrested in New York for a hate crime after allegedly yelling anti-Semitic slurs during a drunken altercation.
Jeff Kent
Second baseman Jeff Kent put up numbers that should have placed him on the cusp of the Hall of Fame, but his abrasive personality often overshadowed his accomplishments. He had a famously testy relationship with teammate Barry Bonds while both played for the Giants, and the two became embroiled in a heated dugout confrontation in 2002 during a nationally-televised game.
Kent wasn't any nicer to members of the media, and frequently appeared indifferent or downright hostile during post-game interviews.
