Top 10 Most Hated Baseball Players 2011 Edition

My Top Ten Most Hated Baseball Player lists have been copied by some other writers on other sites. (The most frustrating one is from a defensive 16-year old from the Bleacher Report who was given the assignment, which resulted in using parts of my list for their own ad traffic.)  Just wanted everyone to know the DailySkew Baseball List of Top 10 Most Hated Baseball Players has is now in its third annual edition. You can check out the 2009 Most Hated Baseball Players and 2010 Most Hated Baseball Players by following the links. Anyway, here is the 2011 version:

1- Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod reclaims the number one spot. After he was an integral part of the Yankees 2009 World Championship, he fell to #3 going into last season because New York had forgiven his sins. However, his power drought and post-season choke in the 2010 puts him back in the most hated baseball player, since NY fans are frustrated again. Ask people on the street who they think the most hated baseball player is, and A-Rod’s name will be said the most. It’s true that he has changed his public image a bit, and seems more relaxed. In fact, I like the new Alex- he doesn’t seem to care what we think.

However, the general public and media still like to go after him. Take the Super Bowl: Cameron Diaz puts popcorn in his mouth, and it’s a news story that is spun to mock Alex. And for every Hall of Fame election, A-Rod’s name comes up as a poster child for steroids. He may have lightened up a bit and finally earned a ring, but A-Rod’s reputation is beyond redemption (female scandals and gossip, steroids, high salary, mercenary, phony) while he’s an active player.

2- Milton Bradley.

Milton remains a solid #2. Criminal charges against a woman have been added to his already controversial history of losing his temper on the field and in the clubhouse. Milton Bradley has a short fuse and believes no one likes him because he’s black. He has attacked fans, announcers, teammates, management, and front office and has continued to blame them for not understanding him. Getting real old, already.

3- Manny Ramirez.

Manram falls from #1 to #3 because he’s been reduced to a comedy character. Ironically his repeated antics have forced sportswriters to accept the “Manny being Manny” truism. Manny was lucky that the Tampa Bay Rays signed him to a one-year deal, because General Managers around baseball are tired of his contract demands and his tendency to give up and then “turn it on” when he wants to. I personally believe Manny is either bi-polar or autistic, which causes fans, management, and the media to resent his free spirit. Controversy will always follow Manny Ramirez, no matter what city he plays in.

4- Francisco Rodriguez.

K-Rod jumps on the 2011 Most Hated Baseball Players addition. He always had a cocky attitude (such as saying he should have been the closer for the 2008 All Star Game at Yankees Stadium instead of icon Mariano Rivera), but things spun out of control when he joined the hapless New York Mets. In addition to blowing some big games, he got into into stupid fights with Brian Bruney, Tony Bernazard, and Randy Niemann. Suffice to say the NY Mets announcers turned on him, and K-Rod finally jumped off the cliff when he beat up his father-in-law in front of kids at Citi Field and then stalked his “wife” with text messages even though lawyers said no contact should have been made.

5- Carlos Zambrano.

Big Z always had a history of having a bad temper. When you couple that with his lack of pitching control, it’s Cubs fans that lose their temper with El Toro. Because he never truly harnessed his “stuff”, he never realized his potential or lived up to his contract- two things that don’t fly in Chicago. However the reason Carlos Zambrano jumps to #5 is because of his public bouts of anger at his manager, teammates, and umpires. Because he shows flashes of brilliance, the Cubs have always forgiven him and rest assured he will remain in the major leagues as long as he gets people out.

6- A.J. Burnett.

AJ was not in my previous lists, although I had started an AJ BURNETT SUCKS campaign. The reason why he was not listed was because his laid back personality seems to charm members of the media and it’s not like he purposely walks guys and gives up homeruns. However, by the end of 2009 and in May of 2010, the real AJ Burnett was finally exposed. Not even John Sterling, Susyn Waldman, or Michael Kay defend him anymore. (Al Leiter still does because…that’s Al.) AJ Burnett has the worst season of any Yankees starter that was thrown out there for a full season. He was the first Yankees pitcher to have an ERA over 5 with 15 losses. When he sucks, he really, really sucks, and most of the time his excuses suck. He’s either extremely dumb or has focus issues. He is emotionally coddled by Yankees management since his contract is so huge. He is picky with his catchers and pitching coaches. He chokes at the big games, and no true Yankees fan wants to see his face in the post-season (he was banished to the bench during Round 1, but came out from under his rock in Round 2, and took the loss vs the Texas Rangers). Throw in divorce rumors, a black eye, and the fact he still throws pies in other people’s face and you have someone who makes Yankees fans’ blood pressure rise.

7- Kevin Youkilis.

Kevin Youkilis drops from #4 only because the Red Sox sucked in 2010 due to injuries. He will probably advance in the rankings after 2011, since the Sox will most likely finish in first place and the cockiness will go to his head. He picks fights, complains to umpires, whines, throws temper tantrums, and has all the signs of roid rage even though he’s clean.

8- A.J. Pierzynski.

A.J. Pierzynski drops one spot to #8 because Major League Baseball players hate how intense, aggressive, and belligerent he is. According to baseball player polls the Polish guy ranks either #1 or #2 (A-Rod class). He has a flair for the dramatic, likes to start fights, and complains to antagonize umpires and the opposition.

9- Oliver Perez.

For as much as AJ Burnett sucks up the joint, Oliver Perez (sorry- “Óliver Pérez”) is worse. Just bring up his name to anyone is Queens and sit back and watch a 10-minute Instant Rant. When healthy, Pérez is capable of leading the league in walks. When unhealthy, he’ll go on the DL a few times a year. When he actually comes back and pitches, his ERA is around 6.81 (last two years- 6.82 and 6.80!). Suffice to say he is THE most hated man in Queens. Mets fans will hate you if you live in a Bubble of Suck, no doubt, but they will like Osama bin Laden BETTER than you if you WALK guys, REFUSE MINOR LEAGUE REHAB ASSIGNMENTS, visit the DL frequently, get banish as a “long man” and STILL suck at mopping up- thus actually blowing a lopsided lead, and gets paid millions. Mets fans continue to wonder- how is Pérez still on the 40-man roster? Oh, and Omar Minaya had hyped him as a future ace, kinda like how Javier Vazquez was hyped.

10- Nyjer Morgan.

Nyjer Morgan aka “Tony Plush” breaks the list and seems to be a good addition to rise through the rankings in the future. The only thing he has going against him from being listed higher is that he plays for the Washington Nationals. Nyjer Morgan has the “look” to be hated- kinda like Otis Nixon, he has a cocky swagger and has a thin, wiry appearance, who likes to steal and cause trouble on the base-paths. He threw a ball into the stands and got into a huge fight against the Florida Marlins that causes headlines and buzz for a NATIONALS VS MARLINS GAME!
© DailySkew Baseball | Top 10 Most Hated Baseball Players 2011 Edition

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