15 MLB Stars Whose Egos Are Too Big for the Markets They Play in

The 2011 MLB season has had players whose egos tend to conflict with the team's goals. More importantly, those players who tend to think about themselves and what is in the best interest for them are usually the ones that end up making the headlines for the wrong reasons.

At the same time, it seems that these players tend to have an ego that is too big for the markets they play in. Large or small, fans in these cities have to worry about how damaging these players are to their teams. 

Hence, with the 2011 season coming slowly to an end, here are the 15 players that have too big of an ego for the market they play in.

Albert Pujols

Pujols entered the season and will end the season with contract issues as the offseason rolls along. During the negotiating process before the deadline, Pujols and the Cardinals did not have a deal in place. 

Now that the Cardinals are in the World Series, the talks have diminished quite a bit. But as soon as the season ends, the talks will rise again and Cardinal fans will have to see whether a deal can be done. 

Francisco Rodriguez

Rodriguez has been through it all. The heated arguments with Yankees reliever Brian Bruney and his encounter with the assistant manager Tony Bernazard have given Rodriguez an ego we cannot avoid.

Now that he is with the Brewers, K-Rod is uncertain whether he will return with the team. If Milwaukee re-signs him, expect the drama around Rodriguez to continue.  

Carlos Zambrano

An easy choice of big egos has to be Zambrano. If only for the fact that he took himself off of the Cubs team.

Although his days in Chicago are done, Zambrano may still have a shot at being dealt to another team. With the nine wins he had this season, he may still be an asset that some teams may consider picking up.

Melky Cabrera

Cabrera has too much of an ego for the city of Kansas City. Although he was the team leader in batting average with .305, his style of playing the game is one to consider.

Let it be known that Melky perhaps could have had a bigger ego if he was on a winning team, but the Royals have disappointed over the last couple of seasons.  

Brandon Phillips

The Reds seem to be a young team with a promising future. Yet in that lineup, Phillips has demonstrated that he is not shy of talking about other teams.

Who can forget in 2010 when Phillips mentioned that he simply hated the St. Louis Cardinals and then a couple days later a brawl occurred between both sides. If the Reds are smart, it may be time to send the veteran to another team, since the young group of players in Cincinnati appear to be on the rise.

Josh Hamilton

Hamilton has emerged as one of the great turnaround stories in the MLB. But before he could be in the World Series today, Hamilton had to get himself in a better situation.

Because of the drug and alcohol problems he had, Hamilton saw his baseball career come to an end in 2004. However, his outstanding effort has allowed him to return to the majors and be on a Rangers team that needed such a great hitter. 

He had a smaller incident in 2009 at a nightclub but other than that, his ego has mostly been held in check recently.

Derek Jeter

The reason Jeter is in this list is because of all the drama that escalated this past offseason with him. His desire to get paid three times what he is worth put the Yankees organization in a difficult position. 

Yet the team was able to sign him and allow Jeter to reach the 3,000 hit milestone. The problem however is that he has developed an ego, acting as though he can still play at a point in his career where he is descending. 

Justin Upton

Upton has been a developing player since he was picked No. 1 overall in 2007. At the age of 23, his future seems promising, as he is a tremendous raw talent. 

However, Upton may become a player who also develops an ego as the attention on him starts to build up. With him still in Arizona, it might be too much for Diamondbacks ownership to handle as his skills may cause problems with the overall goal of the team.

Brian Wilson

How can Wilson not be on this list? His stylish beard has become popular since last year while also giving him a celebrity status. 

The closer for the San Francisco Giants has easily developed a reputation because his commercials may have highlighted him more than what he has actually done on the diamond. That doesn't mean that the fans in the Bay Area don't love the guy. Expect his status to continue to rise, as his beard will be remembered throughout sports. 

Vladimir Guerrero

Surprising how Guerrero just continues to play baseball and appear to not slow down. The veteran had a solid .290 batting average with 63 RBI during the 2011 regular season. 

One of the greatest hitters of all time, Guerrero is perhaps one of the biggest egos around the league. Although he is currently with the Orioles, do not forget when he was with the Angels and Rangers. His ego is still intact and as he reaches his time to retire, Guerrero should be remembered for his performances and his ego.  

Hanley Ramirez

Ramirez has an ego in Florida that fans may not like.

With speculation that he is not performing to his ability and causing problems with his manager, Ramirez has shown that he really may not be a positive example for teammates to follow. 

His bad behavior has lead to him being benched and perhaps being traded from the Marlins, as Buster Olney reported in his Twitter account in June.

Logan Morrison

Although he may currently not be in the same level of ego as Hanley Ramirez, Morrison is developing one. If you follow him on his  Official Twitter account, you will see what I am talking about.

In terms of problems with the Marlins, Morrison has filed a grievance, according to ESPN's Amy Nelson. If he continues to act this way, expect Morrison, who is 24, to create a even bigger ego that the fans in Florida may not like.

Miguel Cabrera

Cabrera has apparently always had an ego during his baseball career. At the age of 28 with a career batting average of .317, he has demonstrated he is a reliable player to hit the ball. 

The problem comes with all the issues he has had throughout his career. Take for example the domestic issues he has had with his wife and the drunk driving arrests. If he continues with this ego, his outstanding hitting may not save him from being traded to another team.

Nyjer Morgan

Is there anyone better in the league with a bigger ego than Morgan? Simply look at the attention the 31-year-old Brewers center fielder is getting. 

Recently, he made headlines when he tweeted about getting ejected against the Cardinals. His tweet, which was directed to Albert Pujols, mentions how the Brewers are still in first of the division (look at where the teams are at now).

If Morgan doesn't define big egos for the most part then I do not know anyone else who can. He has such a big character that it may hurt the team.

Prince Fielder

It appears that Fielder may have had his last at-bat as a Brewer. With the season over, Fielder hasn't made things clear whether or not he will stay in Milwaukee. 

His ego has bothered the team throughout the season. Although he is a great batter, Fielder has been the main headline in the Brewer's club as his decision to stay or not will be determined in the offseason. If he does return to Milwaukee then fans will be rejoicing about making the postseason for consecutive years. If not, expect his ego to hurt his reputation wherever he wishes to play.