The 30 Biggest Temper Tantrums in MLB History

With the explosion of technology in terms of instant news via Twitter, Facebook, cell phone cameras and other social media and technological advances, just about any piece of news can be delivered to millions of people in a virtual second.

In baseball, with thousands of people attending each and every game, every single bit of newsworthy information, whether on the field or in the dugout, can be broadcast at a moment’s notice.

Such is the case with temper tantrums. From Milton Bradley to Carl Pavano beating up a trash can, just about every single temper tantrum and dugout flare-up can now be witnessed on any number of websites, forums and via social media accounts as soon as they occur.

While the title suggests that we are looking into the biggest temper tantrums in MLB history, the vast majority of egregious behavior seen on these pages will have occurred much more recently.

Here then is a list, in no particular order, of the 30 biggest temper tantrums in MLB history.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.

1. Carl Pavano: May 1, 2011

When Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Carl Pavano got off to a bit of a rocky start to start the 2011 season, he finally let out his frustrations following a game on May 1.

After allowing seven runs on 12 hits in a loss to the Kansas City Royals, Pavano took out his frustrations on a garbage can in the dugout.

The garbage can won.

2. Phil Wellman: June 1, 2007

On June 1, 2007, Atlanta Braves Double-A manager Phil Wellman decided he had had enough with the umpiring crew at one particular game.

Although it’s not a major league game, the rant itself was indeed major league-worthy. Braves general manager John Schuerholz didn’t think so, levying Wellman with a three-game suspension.

3. Lou Piniella: June 2007

Lou Piniella was certainly a fired-up guy at times, never more so than in a game in June 2007.

Take a look at the hats flying down in center field and then Piniella throwing his hat into the mix as well.

4. Charlie Manuel: September 2008

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been known to argue a call from time to time. However in late September of 2008, Manuel’s ire was really raised when an umpire allowed an appeal of a check swing.

Manuel literally had to be held back from going after the home plate umpire.

5. Earl Weaver: 1980s

Earl Weaver was pretty small in stature, but he had absolutely no problem confronting any umpire whom he felt wronged him.

This particular rant is without a doubt one of the classics of all time between a manager and an umpire.

6. Tommy Lasorda: July 1982

In July 1982, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tom Niedenfuer was fined $500 by MLB for beaning San Diego Padres hitter Joe Lefebvre.

In defense of his teammate, Padres player Kurt Bevacqua came out the following day with a quote, saying, “The guy they should have fined was the guy who ordered Niedenfuer to throw at Joe, that fat little Italian.”

Needless to say, Lasorda had his own choice words for Bevacqua.

7. Brian Wilson: July 1, 2011

MLB and Brian Wilson combined this offseason to create an MLB Always Epic marketing campaign, entitled “Fear the Beard.” Wilson’s beard became nationally famous after his contribution to the San Francisco Giants’ first World Series championship in 58 years last season.

However, on July 1, the proper terminology could have been changed to “Fear the Temper” after his little meltdown during an interleague game against the Detroit Tigers, in which he gave up two runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning.

8. Milton Bradley: Sept. 23, 2007

Outfielder Milton Bradley could have made this list for several egregious outbursts, but one in particular cost himself and his team.

On September 23, 2007, during an argument with first base umpire Mike Winters, Bradley had to be physically restrained by manager Bud Black. Bradley fell to the ground while being held by Black, resulting in a torn ACL.

With Bradley’s injury, the Padres lost their wild-card lead to the Colorado Rockies, losing in a one-game playoff at the end of the season.

9. Brett Myers: 2008

After one particular game in 2008, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers had apparently had enough with one particular reporter about a question and a pitch that Myers had thrown. The ensuing conversation did not quite go swimmingly.

So much for anger management.

10. Tim Belcher: 1995 ALDS

After giving up a game-winning home run in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners pitcher Tim Belcher was not exactly in a mood to be videotaped.

Keep your kiddies away when listening, please.

11. Nyjer Morgan: May 22, 2010

During an interleague game with the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan allowed an inside-the-park home run to Adam Jones due to the fact that he couldn’t control his temper.

The Nationals eventually agreed and got Morgan out of town, shipping him off to the Milwaukee Brewers during spring training this year.

12. George Brett: July 24, 1983

All you have to do is mention the phrase “pine tar incident,” and anyone who even remotely knows baseball knows exactly what you’re talking about.

In a complete show of gamesmanship, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin called for the bat of Kansas City Royals third baseman George Brett after Brett hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to put the Royals ahead 5-4.

According to the rules at the time, pine tar, a substance used to improve grip, could not extend from the bottom of the bat more than 18 inches. Umpires determined that the bat had pine tar well beyond the 18-inch limit, calling Brett out on the play.

You can view the video here.

13. Hal McRae: 1993

During a postgame conference in 1993, Kansas City Royals manager Hal McRae was obviously upset at a few things, especially one particular question asked by a reporter questioning a move that McRae had made.

As said at the end of the rant, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

14. Roberto Alomar: Sept. 27, 1996

On Sunday, July 24, second baseman Roberto Alomar will be inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame after a stellar 17-year career during which he established himself as one of the best second basemen ever to play the game.

But on Sept. 27, 1996, Alomar decidedly lost it. Following a called third strike, Alomar got into a heated discussion with home plate umpire John Hirschbeck, during which Alomar spat in Hirschbeck’s face.

Alomar claimed he did it after Hirschbeck uttered a derogatory ethnic slur. Alomar was suspended for five games, and a week after the incident Hirschbeck said all was forgiven.

15. Roger Clemens: 2000 World Series

New York Yankees starting pitcher Roger Clemens and New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza already had a brewing dislike toward each other when Game 2 of the 2000 World Series rolled around. Piazza had been drilled in the head by a Clemens pitch during an interleague game, forcing Piazza to bow out of the 2000 MLB All-Star Game.

When a piece of Piazza’s bat broke off and headed toward the mound after he had weakly hit the ball, Clemens took the broken bat and flung it back in the direction of Piazza, landing just a few feet in front of him.

So much for the Subway Series showdown.

16. Jack McDowell: July 18, 1995

Black Jack McDowell played for the New York Yankees for only one season in 1995, but he certainly made his stay memorable.

On July 18, 1995, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, McDowell was shelled, giving up nine runs on 13 hits in 4.2 innings.

When manager Buck Showalter went out to the mound to yank McDowell, Yankees fans greeted McDowell with their famous Bronx cheer. McDowell responded with a gesture of his own, which no doubt has never been forgotten in New York.

17. Jose Offerman: Aug. 14, 2007

In August 2007, former major leaguer Jose Offerman was attempting to play his way back into the majors, playing for the Long Island Ducks in the Independent Atlantic League.

After getting hit in the leg with a fastball from opposing pitcher Matt Beech of the Bridgeport Bluefish, Offerman charged the mound, with bat in hand. Catcher John Nathans came out to protect his pitcher during the melee, suffering a season-ending concussion as a result.

Needless to say, Offerman’s chance at making it back to the majors ended on that day.

18. Jose Offerman: Jan. 16, 2010

One would think that Jose Offerman would have learned his lesson the first time around.

This time, while managing in the Dominican Republic, Offerman, who came out to argue a call, punched first base umpire Daniel Rayburn in the face.

Offerman was booked on assault charges and taken to jail.

19. Pedro Martinez: 2003 ALCS

In Game 3 of the 2003 American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, Red Sox starting pitcher Pedro Martinez plunked Yankee Karim Garcia in the top of the fifth up near the shoulder.

The hit batsman prompted an argument between Martinez and the Yankees bench, with Martinez pointing at Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and then gesturing to the side of his head.

Many, including Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer, interpreted Martinez’ gesture as an indication he intended to throw a beanball.

In the bottom half of the inning, Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez took a high strike from Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens and flipped out, causing both benches to clear. In the ensuing melee, Zimmer, 72 years of age at the time, went after Martinez, who sidestepped Zimmer and threw him down to the ground.

20. Ozzie Guillen: April 13, 2011

Like outfielder Milton Bradley before him, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen could have made this particular list several times for different rants and raves.

We chose this particular rant about his relief pitchers in the early part of the 2011 season as just an example of Ozzie’s...um...style.

21. Ozzie Guillen: May 7, 2008

Well, we lied. Here’s another brilliant rant/tantrum from Ozzie.

22. John McLaren: June 4, 2008

Ah, there is nothing like a good profanity-laced tirade, is there?

In this particular case, the rant comes from former Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren, who in early June 2008 decided that he was just a little sick of losing.

23. Ty Cobb: May 12, 1912

I have talked about Hall of Fame player Ty Cobb on a number of occasions, both for his superlative play on the field and for his temper off the field.

However, on May 15, 1912, Cobb was clearly over the top. During a game in New York, Cobb was being constantly heckled by Claude Lueker, a fan attending the game. Cobb warned New York Highlanders manager Harry Wolverton that if the fan wasn’t dealt with, Cobb would deal with him personally. The Highlanders took no action.

In the sixth inning, after getting encouragement from teammates Jim Delahanty and Sam Crawford, Cobb went into the stands and proceeded to assault Lueker after he called Cobb a racial epithet. The problem was, Lueker was handicapped, having lost one hand and three fingers on another hand in an industrial accident.

When fans tried to stop Cobb by telling him Lueker was handicapped, his reply was, “I don’t care if he got no feet!”

Yeah, Cobb was a peach.

24. Kenny Rogers: June 30, 2005

While pitching for the Texas Rangers, Kenny Rogers decided before a game on June 30, 2005 that he didn’t want cameramen filming him.

Why this one particular cameraman got under Rogers’ skin is anyone’s guess.

25. Shawn Chacon: June 25, 2008

One thing you really don’t want to do if you want a long career in baseball is make the decision to go after your general manager. That’s exactly what Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon did.

After starting the season with a 2-3 record and 5.08 ERA, Chacon was summoned to the manager’s office by manager Cecil Cooper. After refusing to go, GM Ed Wade found Chacon in the players' dining room.

Chacon again refused, words were exchanged and Chacon grabbed Wade by the neck, threw him down to the ground and pounced on top of him before finally being pulled off by teammate Reggie Abercrombie.

Chacon was immediately released and had the remainder of his $2 million contract voided.

26. Michael Barrett/A.J. Pierzynski

There’s nothing like a good crosstown rivalry. This time, the rivalry turned into a full-blown knock-down, drag-out fight.

In an interleague game between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, catcher A.J. Pierzynski bowled over Barrett at the plate in an attempt to score, prompting a nice right from Barrett.

27. Kevin Youkilis: Aug. 11, 2009

Raise your hand if you don’t think Boston Red Sox first baseman/third baseman Kevin Youkilis is one of the most intense players in baseball.

No one? Didn’t think so...

The following video is an example of that...um...intensity.

28. Carl Everett: July 15, 2000

Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Everett actually had a pretty good season in 2000, hitting 34 home runs with 108 runs batted in and a .300 batting average.

However, on July 15, 2000, Everett did not endear himself to Red Sox fans when he decided to bump umpire Ron Kulpa and get suspended for 10 days.

29. Lee Elia: April 29, 1983

After compiling a record of 73-89 in his first year as manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1982, Lee Elia was used to the idea of losing. What he wasn’t get used to was the apparent apathy of the Chicago Cubs fans.

He let the fans know all about it on April 29, 1983.

30. Marty Brennaman: April 18, 2008

As if Lee Elia didn’t beat up Chicago Cubs fans enough in 1983, longtime Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman decided to pile on some 25 years later.

Brennaman, during a broadcast of a Reds-Cubs game, was disgusted at Cubs fans throwing over a dozen baseballs back onto the field after a Reds player hit a home run.