The 25 Nastiest Interviews in Baseball History

There are certain situations in baseball when it's better to keep the microphones away from players and coaches.

We've got 25 of those situations right here.

Be it a bad play, bad performance, bad call or bad game, a reporter was the last person these men needed to see.

Though members of the media are just there to do their job, asking players and coaches questions can bring out the nastiest. Other times, it doesn't even take questions to ignite the fire.

Here's a look at the top cases of players and coaches getting downright nasty with the media. (Warning: links may contain audio/video of explicit language. View/listen at your own risk.)

Honorable Mention: Jim Leyland

Jim Leyland provided an interview for a radio program around midseason in 2011. Faced with questions about fans second-guessing his decisions, Leyland initially handled it well.

Then suddenly, he turned it up a notch.

First he commented some fans "don't know s---" and "just want to hear themselves on the radio." He recollects his thoughts before making one more turn for the worse.

For some odd reason, Leyland then unleashes on the radio host before ending the spot.

Honorable Mention: Rickey Henderson

In May of 2000, the New York Mets released Rickey Henderson. Rickey will tell you, Rickey didn't like it. Rickey didn't like it one bit. Unfortunately, he handled the situation in less than legendary fashion.

Henderson told the media that he didn't need days off as Mets brass suggested, refused to play in Japan, then abruptly stormed out.

Once more in 2003 upon retiring Henderson complained to the media yet again.

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"Each and every day I set a record, but we never talk about it. We'll talk about a home run hitter 24/7. Well, they haven't broken any all-time records, but they hit homers, and that's what matters nowadays. You continue playing, you accomplish a lot, and you'd think people would look at it as a fantastic career. Instead, I think people want me to quit more than anything."

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Leaving the game in this way is simply a nasty way to go.

25. Kenny Rogers

Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers took his aggression out on a cameraman before any questions were even asked.

All the poor guy wanted to do was get a clip of Rogers warming up. Imagine if he actually asked him anything.

24. Randy Johnson

After arriving in New York, pitcher Randy Johnson went on his first outing. Apparently, he didn't expect to be bombarded so quickly and intensely by camera crews and reporters.

Johnson got into not one, but two altercations on the streets of New York.

The Big Unit responded to questions by shoving a cameraman and shouting at him to get out of the way. It was a nice, warm welcome to the Big Apple.

23. John McLaren

Former Mariners skipper John McLaren gives his thoughts on losing in one long, profanity-laced response.

Short and to the point I guess. Thanks skip. No further questions.

Likely meant to inspire his team, his public statement about their play possibly backfired. McLaren was fired after only 72 games in 2008.

22. Sammy Sosa

Rick Reilly, interviewing Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, simply suggested the slugger take a steroids test immediately. After all, if he was clean, it would end speculation.

Sosa didn't see it that way.

Incredibly incensed, Sosa yelled at Reilly and abruptly ended the interview, delivering one final pleasantry toward Reilly.

21. Tim Belcher

It may not be an actual interview, but it does involve reporters, cameras and a baseball player. If you listen closely, you can even hear a few questions asked.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Tim Belcher was extremely agitated that camera crews were in the hallways and demanded they turn the cameras off. Filming continued, as did Belcher's profanity-laced questioning of their necessity to be present.

20. Billy Wagner

After a 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals, reporters looked to Mets players for answers. By the time they arrived, closer Billy Wagner was the only player left.

He wasn't too thrilled about the situation, subtly calling out his teammates for their abandonment. Wagner told the media he was tired of players not talking, saying, "They speak English. Believe me."

Not the first time he questioned his teammates out loud. Just one month earlier Wagner told reporters he doubted pitcher Oliver Perez' mental state of mind and intelligence.

19. George Brett

Reporters asked former Kansas City Royals great George Brett about manager Trey Hillman's decision-making in 2009.

Brett blamed the media for over-blowing the situation then effectively bashed a few more managerial candidates in the process.

18. Milton Bradley

Milton Bradley has had more than a few run-ins with fans, the media and even teammates. He makes this list for a few reasons, the most obvious being his claim against former teammate Jeff Kent.

Bradley told the press, "he doesn't know how to deal with African-American people." Bradley then proceeded to claim the media repeatedly talked to him first simply because he is black.

There's no better way of solving drama with a peer than to tell the media he's a racist.

Throw in Bradley's comments a few years later about loving himself, and he just went from nasty to bizarre.  

17. George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin

Late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and former manager Billy Martin had a few particularly nasty moments. Instead of talking to each other, both loved taking to the papers during their feuding days.

Steinbrenner takes the cake between the two. In 1977, he was quoted as saying, "I don't like to hurt people. Sometimes, I just do." In fact, he hired and fired Martin four times.

During one such firing, Martin told reporters, "The two of them (Steinbrenner and outfielder Reggie Jackson) deserve each other. One's a born liar; the other's convicted."

16. Tony LaRussa

Former Oakland A's manager Tony LaRussa kicks AP reporter Bob Glass out of the locker room after Glass asks about a beaned player.

LaRussa vehemently tells Glass he doesn't want to talk about it. Glass responds by telling LaRussa to "be a man."

Upset with the game, the situation and the statement, LaRussa loses his cool.

15. Dick Howser

Former Kansas City Royals manager Dick Howser clearly does not like umpires. Early on during the 1984 season, one of the members of the officiating crew reminded Howser his club was in last place. An action Howser took as a terrible slight.

Howser's anger didn't end after being thrown out of the game.

According to Howser, umpires are "gutless." The crew for that particular game were the worst of all time, specifically for keeping tabs on the standings. Not the best things ever to tell the world.

I guess he wanted them to pay more attention to the game at hand.

14. Goose Gossage

Goose Gossage saved both games during a double-header. Unfortunately, the reporters only wanted to know about the blown save the night before.

Goose let loose.

The New York Yankee pitcher attacked everyone from the press to the fans to George Steinbrenner himself.

Gossage insinuated the media was turning the fans against the team.

The fans are dumb, media members are negative and Steinbrenner is "the fat man."

13. Roger Clemens

While still with the Boston Red Sox, pitcher Roger Clemens swore off (and at) Herald sports writer George Kimball.

Kimball wrote an article about Clemens' unwillingness to sign a baseball for an elderly woman. Clemens took exception.

"You're a [expletive] lowlife and it's obvious the way you take care of yourself," Clemens said. During his tirade, the pitcher literally threw two hamburgers at Kimball while other reporters stood nearby.

12. George Bell

Beat writer Suzyn Waldman hoped to get a quote from Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell. Instead of answering questions for the group of reporters, Bell unleashed a tirade solely on Waldman.

Bell cursed at the reporter in front of the entire locker room in both English and Spanish. It was so bad, Waldman quickly left in tears.

11. Dave Kingman

In 1994, Dave Kingman refused to speak with female reporter Sue Fornoff. Kingman proceeded to get nastier as he told other reporters he wouldn't be speaking at all if Fornoff remained in the room.

Kingman later sent an apology gift for his blatant act of sexism: a neatly wrapped, live rat with a note that said: "My name is Sue."

10. Albert Belle

ESPN anchor Hannah Storm was preparing to interview Kenny Lofton. Albert Belle had a different idea.

Belle unexpectedly grew angry at the media's presence and demanded them all out. All obliged, except for Storm.

That's when Belle unleashed a five-minute series of curse words. Acknowledging the old saying, "sticks and stones may break bones but words will never hurt," Belle included throwing Gatorade bottles at the reporter.

9. Gary Sheffield

Gary Sheffield earns his spot with two instances of nasty behavior in the media.

First in 2006, as a member of the New York Yankees, Sheffield blasted the media for misinterpreting his words. The slugger was paranoid the Yankees were attempting to trick him and that the media was in on it.

Later in 2007, Gary Sheffield touched on all kinds of nastiness.

In an interview with HBO's "Real Sports," the former slugger talked racism and steroids. In the process, he pointed fingers at Joe Torre, Derek Jeter and Barry Bonds.

First, Sheffield claimed Torre treated black players differently, calling them out in front of peers. White teammates were confronted behind closed doors. He later insinuated Yankee captain Derek Jeter didn't understand because he is "black and white."

Clearly not trying to make any friends, Sheffield then turned his attention toward Bonds.

"If I took what Barry Bonds took, why don't I look like him?" he said.

8. Hal McRae

Kansas City Royals manager Hal McRae felt slighted after reporters questioned his decision-making.

He showed just how "sick and tired" he was of all the questions in nasty fashion. With cameras still rolling, McRae took it out on his office.

Things got especially crazy when he wildly threw a telephone inside the crowded room.

7. Bobby Bonilla

Bobby Bonilla earns the No. 7 spot for having three instances of unfavorable media outbursts.

Responding to a reporter, Bonilla first tells a reporter to leave him alone. He follows quickly by telling him to "make his move," insinuating Bonilla would hit him. (Clip at 2:11)

Bonilla approached writer Bob Klapisch in 1993 about the book Klapisch wrote. Bonilla told the writer he would hurt him.

In 1995, Bonilla let loose about third base coach Mike Cubbage. Apparently the player and coach were at odds over a base running sign. Bonilla opted to take to the media, once again asking anyone to "say it to his face."

6. Todd Jones

In 2003, Detroit Tigers pitcher Todd Jones made it clear he did not want a homosexual teammate.

Jones told The Denver Post:

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"I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me. It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, Hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?"

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5. Ozzie Guillen

There are too many pre and post-game Ozzie Guillen moments to just pick so I'm going to highlight a few.

Earlier this year, pitcher Jake Peavy told WSCR 670 the Score he felt Guillen quit on the team. In this interview, Guillen rips actor Sean Penn and says if Penn lived in Venezuela he "would be shot." In one yet another example, Ozzie Guillen admits to participating in baseball solely for the money.

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“I work in this job for money. I don’t work for nothing. Money. That’s it. The ring? F--- the ring. I don’t even wear my f------ rings. I don’t.’’

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His worst offense came in 2006 when he used a homosexual slur to describe Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. He later apologized for the comment, but not the feeling.

The thing that makes a Guillen interview so nasty, is his tone and indifference. Guillen constantly uses a nonchalant attitude to trash his own players while occasionally adding colorful expletives.

When your manager blatantly rips your heart and athletic ability with such ease and indifference, it's nasty.

4. Lee Elia

Former Chicago Cubs manager Lee Elia took particular offense to Cubs fans on April 29, 1983. Naturally, he took to the media to voice his complaints.

Addressing Cubs fans Elia is quoted as saying, "They can kiss my f-----' a--." He later added the few fans that were in attendance likely did not have jobs.

Yikes. That should get more fans in the seats.

3. Earl Weaver

Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver was asked the simple question of why the team didn't add more speedy players. His answer involves a profanity-laced tirade about fleas.

Weaver was then asked about one of his own players, Terry Crowley, and proceeded to lay into Crowley.

The question and answer session got worse.

A female fan asked a question about tomato plants. Apparently, Weaver does not like tomatoes.

He responded by suggesting the female fan worry more about her sexual life, even suggesting a few ways to enhance it.

Weaver signed off by telling listeners and the show's host to "go f--- themselves."

2. John Rocker

In 2000, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker intensified the Braves/Mets rivalry with some particularly nasty comments.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Rocker gave his opinion on playing in New York, the city itself and Mets fans:

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"Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing."

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The interview also includes rants about traffic, "foreigners" and African-American athletes. The John Rocker interview is definitely one of the most disgusting and nasty baseball interviews of all time.

1. Tommy Lasorda

Tommy Lasorda could have filled one-quarter of this list by himself.

Listening to sound bites of the former Los Angeles Dodgers skipper should make one thing clear: his favorite word is the "F-word."

Lasorda's postgame interviews are so bad, I'm too embarrassed to link any of them here. If you're really interested, feel free to search "Tommy Lasorda's Best Rants" on YouTube. Be warned, the five minute sound bite of various interviews is extremely explicit.