Baseball Players You Love To Hate

Baseball holds many emotional moments for its fans, be it joyous, such as Joe Carter's walk off home run in the 1993 World Series victory for the Blue Jays or Billy Buckner's boot of Mookie Wilson's grounder to help the Mets win the 1986 World Series. These are the heroes and goats. But past that, there are players we love to hate. The poster boy could be Pete Rose. However, Lenny Dykstra, be it for the Mets or Phillies, above, could drive you nuts with a game-saving catch or lead off home run. I will attempt to give my top ten players you love to hate to the best of my memory.

The Shot Heard "Round The World

When the New York Giants Bobby Thompson hit the game-winning home run off the Dodgers Ralph Branca to win the 1951 World Series for the Giants, the hurt would follow Dodger fans out to California in 1958.

Mr. October

It was the summer of 1977 and the "Son of Sam" continued a murderous spree across Manhattan. The same summer, Reggie Jackson was burning up the baseball. His time to shine was the World Series, where he hit a record three home runs in Game 6 against the Dodgers. The Yanks would go on to win the following year also, but there was a magical quality to the summer of 1977 and Reggie, Reggie, Reggie ...

Traitor

Gosh, is this guy still pitching? I know he went to the Blue Jays after he pitched in Boston, but when this guy went to the Yankees, Boston fans must have hated this guy. Don't worry about whose hat he is going to wear, after his performance in front of Congress at the Steriod hearings, he might have messed up what was to a sure Hall of Fame career.

The Flyin' Hawaiian

Forget about Jimmy Rollins and his War of Words against the Mets, Shane Victorino is going to have a ten plus year career in the Bigs and in the process, he will piss off a lot of baseball fans. Whether hitting a grand slam against C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS or getting hit by a pitch in the NLCS against the Dodgers and crying foul on the field, the "Flyin' or "Cryin'" Hawaiian as the Los Angeles media dubbed him, he will be a fly in any opposing team's march to a championship. The day after he got plunked and pointed to his chest and head, he got his revenge. He hit a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the NLCS. I love him; he will drive other teams crazy.

Payroll stealer

Two years ago, Alex Rodriguez's contract was more than the entire payroll of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who are now just The Tampa Bay Rays. Does he get paid per strikeout or home run. It depends which year. This year, most of his hits are home runs. He is not even the best player on the Yankees. Well, maybe now. Derek Jeter wears that crown in my book. Only a championship will vindicate A-Rod.

Mr. Dodger?

Recently retired Jeff Kent seemed to me like a player you either loved or hated. His offense made up for his defense, for some, but was a glaring error or flaw for others. Still, he had a pretty good career. A former co-worker of mine hated Kent. He is a Mets fan and said he didn't like him when he played for the Mets.

Mr. Perfect

With a beautiful wife, Cynthia, and picture perfect looks, this All-American had game, too. A near .300 career hitter and with more than 2,500 hits, Garvey had a distinguished career with both the Dodgers and Padres. He seemed to good to be true, until his wife wrote a tell-all book about his sexual affairs outside the marriage.

Who is the guy you love to hate?

Is it this guy, admitted gambler Pete Rose? Maybe Curt Schilling or Albert Pujos, "steriod" stars, Manny Ramirez or that rat fink Barry Bonds. Manny could make the list; I am ignoring Bonds, he is not relivant anymore to me. Other than that, It helps if the guy is good, really good, too. You can't seem to hate a guy who stinks, unless he plays for your team. Nope. These kinds of guys steal your heart out in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded.