The 15 Most Egotistical People in Baseball History

For all the great memories that baseball has given us during its great history, there have also been a number of players, teams and incidents that haven't resembled everything this game stands for.

Individual accomplishments and goals drive players to succeed, but when they take it upon themselves to put their own initiatives ahead of the team, things can take a turn for the worse.

Singular moments won't always permanently tarnish a player's legacy, but some players are clearly far more severe offenders who likely won't ever see their reputation return to respectability.

Alex Rodriguez

It'll be interesting to see how much Alex Rodriguez's admission of steroid usage tarnishes his legacy as the milestones begin to approach.

After an initial denial of usage, Rodriguez later would admit that he used steroids for a few years in the early 2000s, citing an "enormous amount of pressure" to produce results worthy of his large contract.

I guess with the amount of money he has, we shouldn't be surprised he loves himself as much as he does.

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds may be baseball's all-time home run champion, but he'll never be confused with baseball's most likeable players. His unapproachable demeanor alienated teammate after teammate, and the PED scandal hasn't in any way helped his image.

Indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007, Bonds has spent just as much time in the limelight for the controversy as he has for his home run-hitting tendencies.

Testifying that he used a cream provided by a strength trainer would ultimately be his demise, as that would lead to his conviction on the obstruction of justice charge.

Cap Anson

One of the game's first true stars, Cap Anson gave all he had for 27 major league seasons.

His most notorious impact on the game may be his role in using his influence to make sure racial segregation was a part of baseball. There were a number of instances in which during exhibition games he refused to take the field when the opposing team had African-American players on it.

Carl Everett

Carl Everett is remembered by many for the flashes of brilliance that he showed, if even for a single at-bat.

But what the majority of us likely remember him for are the numerous altercations he had with umpires, some resulting in extended suspensions.

There's also the fact that he's a blatant homophobic, made public in an interview with Maxim when he said that "Gays being gay is wrong" and that "Two women can't produce a baby, two men can't produce a baby, so it's not how it's supposed to be," and "I don't believe in gay marriages. I don't believe in being gay."

He also noted that if he had a gay teammate he'd either consider retiring or "set them straight."

Dick Allen

Dick Allen is one of those players who is occasionally considered among the best former ballplayers who doesn't have a home in the Hall of Fame.

He's got seemingly good enough numbers, but the numerous negative interactions he had on a regular basis with the media and teammates didn't help him win over any voters and has given him a reputation as one of the most egotistical players of his time.

Gary Carter

Gary "Kid" Carter was one of the greatest catchers to play the game, and his passing has the game of baseball missing one of the more memorable figures to take the field.

His demeanor made him appear to be one of the great fan favorites, although believe it or not, teammates didn't always see it that way.

Some took it as far as nicknaming him "Camera" Carter, saying that his fun-loving nature was just an act. There may have actually been something to it, as Sports Illustrated once named him one of the most disliked players in the game.

Hal Chase

Before there was the Black Sox scandal of 1919, there was Hal Chase, who was actually regarded as the best first baseman of his time by such peers as Walter Johnson and Babe Ruth.

Chase was known widely for the corruption he brought to the game, gambling frequently on matchups and at times throwing games.

John Rocker

As if exposing his racial bias in a Sports Illustrated issue wasn't enough, John Rocker was also quick to admit the steroid usage that he was implicated of in the spring of 2007.

When asked about his usage by New York Baseball Digest, his response was, “Yeah, of course I was [using steroids]. I mean who wasn’t? Let’s be honest here, who wasn’t?”

Jose Canseco

Jose Canseco's massive stature may have in itself tied him to speculation surrounding the usage of steroids during his career, but Canseco also confirmed it in 2005 with the release of his book Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.

Canseco took his admission even further in his book, stating that around 85 percent of the league was on steroids.

He also used his time in the spotlight to out former teammates Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and others on their usage and hasn't turned down any other opportunity to give himself attention whenever possible.

Manny Ramirez

After testing positive for a banned women's fertility drug in 2009, Manny Ramirez was handed a 50-game suspension, but he wasn't done there.

Last year he tested positive once again, this time receiving a 100-game ban, after which he retired. He since came out of retirement to sign a minor-league deal with the A's, but as nothing materialized, it's looking more and more like we may have finally seen the last of Manny.

Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan certainly has his moments on the field, but it seems like he's just as well known for the sideshow that he brings to any team he's on.

Whether he's Tony Plush, Tony Gumbo or anyone else he conjures up, he could wear out any welcome if he lets it get in the way of his play on the field.

Morgan may not be the most egotistical player to set foot on the diamond, but he may very well be the most alter-egotistical.

Pete Rose

No matter what the answer ends up being, Pete Rose's eventual admission (after years of denials) of gambling on games both as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds has sparked a debate that every baseball fan has at least some opinion on.

The issue regarding whether or not Rose will or should be allowed back into baseball will always remain a hotly debated talking point until a new commissioner (since it won't be Bud Selig) decides to take on the topic.

Reggie Jackson

In a clubhouse with superstars like the New York Yankees had, you could see where Reggie Jackson and his elite status may have issues sharing the attention.

His thoughts about himself are summed up best by a quote (up for debate) that was noted in a May 1977 issue of Sport:

"

This team, it all flows from me. I'm the straw that stirs the drink. Maybe I should say me and (Thurman) Munson, but he can only stir it bad.

"

Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson is the best base stealer of all time, and we may very well never see his record fall, forever etching his place in baseball history.

For every bit as good as he was though, he wasn't ashamed to let the league, the fans and, of course, the media, know it.

I have a general problem with people referring to themselves in the third person, so Rickey finds his way onto the list.

Vince Coleman

There's no doubt that Vince Coleman had a great deal of talent, but unfortunately it wasn't in any way enough to outweigh all the distractions that he brought to a clubhouse.

Whether it was the numerous arguments he got into with managers and teammates, his ignoring of base coaches' signs on the basepaths, or the incident in which he actually threw a lit firecracker into a group of fans, Coleman was a mess much of the time.