18 Biggest Complainers in MLB History

Baseball is a game where a lot of things can go wrong.

A bad called strike or ball can mean the difference between winning and losing a game.

While people can get upset about that, there is also instances where players have problems with owners, managers and other players.

Some people take it without question and move on.

Others, understandably get upset and complain.

Others still, complain for no particular reason without end and become a pain in the neck.

Here is a list of the 18 biggest complainers in MLB history:

Ty Cobb

Cobb hated everyone and everything.  

He constantly berated his competition including Babe Ruth, and was shunned by his peers both during and after his playing days.

For a deeper explanation, see the movie Cobb with Tommy Lee Jones.

Curt Schilling

Schilling always thought he was better than the rest.

He milked the bloody sock thing as a battle banner in the 2004 ALCS, and recently said he hoped the Red Sox didn’t make the playoffs.

Schilling is the classic case of a complaining player that needs the spotlight.

David Ortiz

Ortiz has this front as a happy-go-lucky guy, but when things don’t go his way, he starts complaining.

He ranted and raved about how players should be suspended for the year if they got caught using steroids, then got caught and proclaimed, “I never took no Steroids.”

I believe him too….

Kevin Youkilis

Don’t pitch him inside.

Seriously, you’re not allowed to pitch him inside.

If you do, he gets all mad and looks to charge the mound.

He may be the Greek God of Walks, but he’s also the Baseball God of Complaining.

I’d love to put Bob Gibson in the Lazarus machine and let him pitch to him.

Barry Bonds

Bonds was mercurial with the media throughout his career.

Anytime something didn't go his way, he'd complain to players and the media.

He mellowed a bit in his late career, but I think he was always insecure that people always liked Ken Griffey Jr better than him.

Manny Ramirez

People call it “Manny being Manny.”

I call it, complainer extraordinaire.

Manny’s complaints have been well documented throughout his career, and through it, he committed  an even worse sin, he let it affect his play.

Cheap Owners

For years, owners have complained about the small market blues, which is being “unable to afford spending on elite talent.”

Look at teams like the Marlins, A’s and Rays as prime examples.

Meanwhile, all the owners of these teams are millionaires many times over.

Is it understandable they can’t spend $200 million per year? Yes.

Is it acceptable they spend only $40 million? Absolutely not.

Billy Beane

Just watch Moneyball to see why he makes this list.

Beane has long been the champion of small market teams struggling to make money.

However, now that teams copy his style, he lost his edge.

It’s not his fault the A’s ownership is cheap, but maybe he should have taken the Red Sox’s offer in 2003.

The Fans

Sorry guys, but no one in baseball complains more than we do.

We complain when our team stinks, and when they’re good.

We complain when our team spends too little money, and too much money.

We complain about our manager, GM and owners.

We basically complain about everything.

Jorge Posada

Posada made waves earlier this season when he threatened retirement after being pushed down in the lineup.

Being one of the longest tenured players on the team, it was a selfish move, which he later apologized for.

He also gets on players if he feels they act out of line during a game.

Sometimes, he goes a little too overboard with that.

Basically, at this stage in his career, he should be focused on helping the team.

Pedro Martinez

Martinez is another malcontent that never seems to be happy.

Whenever a situation would get bad, he’d take his ball and leave for somewhere else.

The Yankees seemed to bring out the worst in him, especially when he threw Don Zimmer to the ground during a brawl and showed no remorse for it.

Hanley Ramirez

Ramirez has spoken out against the Marlins’ organization for a while now, and has now reached the point where he critiqued Marlin legend Jeff Conine.

He usually gets benched for his lack of effort and his malcontent on a yearly basis.

Ramirez should focus on what he could do on the field to meet his great potential, and worry about moving when his contract ends.

Delmon Young

Delmon Young has had some hustle issues in his past, but one event earns him a spot on this list.

Back when Young was in the minors, he threw his bat at an umpire after getting called for a strike he didn’t like.

By far, the most despicable act on this list, and definitely not a valid complaint.

Lou Piniella

Anytime Sweet Lou got a call he didn’t like, he let the umpire know about it.

His wildly entertaining antics/complaints delighted fans from both teams, and helped inspire his team to victory.

Earl Weaver

Earl Weaver is on this list for the same reason Piniella is.

The major difference is that Weaver did it better than Sweet Lou.

He even used to turn his cap around so he could get in the umpires face when arguing a call.

Bobby Cox

While we’re on the subject of managers complaining about calls, we can’t forget about Bobby Cox.

Cox was ejected 161 times in his career for arguing and complaining about calls, more than anyone else in baseball history.

George Steinbrenner

While George Steinbrenner has a beloved legacy by many Yankee fans, no owner complained about his team more than the Boss.

He notably complained about the performances of Dave Winfield and Hideki Irabu by calling them “Mr May” and a “Fat Pussy Toad” respectively.

He also would bash other players, managers and owners throughout his long tenure, complaining anytime things didn’t go the Yankees’ way.

Carlos Zambrano

Carlos Zambrano complains about the Cubs on a yearly basis.

Usually something goes wrong and he loses his temper.

He's even been known to fight his own teammates.