Beloved by One Fanbase, Hated by Another: Which Players Fit This?

stevebay · 12-31-2025, 10:15 AM

Now that Anthony Rendon’s contract with the Angels is finally over, it got me thinking about an interesting question:

Which players are beloved by one franchise’s fan base, but strongly disliked (or resented) by another team’s fans for whom they also played?

A couple examples that come to mind:

Anthony Rendon — A World Series hero for Washington, but a disappointment during his time with the Angels.

Barry Bonds — Loved by Giants fans despite controversy, yet his Pirates tenure feels almost erased. I once took a tour of PNC Park and the tour guide even mentioned there are hardly any Bonds references or photos in the stadium.

I know there’s always initial animosity when a player leave a team for another, but is there long lasting “hatred” from some fan bases toward a player?

Who else fits this category? Curious to hear some good examples?

finfangfan · 12-31-2025, 10:22 AM

They inducted Bonds into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2024 which indicates any animosity for him softened over time. Did you visit PNC before then?

MiamiMarlinsFan · 12-31-2025, 10:51 AM

Do they really like him in DC?

Bosoxfan5990 · 12-31-2025, 10:55 AM

Jacoby Ellsbury.

Red Sox fans love him, Yankees fans hate him for that albatross of a contract.

Pablo Sandoval.

Giants fans love him, Red Sox fans hate him for that albatross of a contract.

TBTC Baseball · 12-31-2025, 02:55 PM

Kris Bryant - loved by Cubs fans, seemingly hated by Rockies fans.

Do Nationals fans hate Bryce Harper?

kipgen · 12-31-2025, 03:08 PM

As an Astros fan, I was never a Kyle Tucker fan

Regular season stat stacker but never did much in the playoffs (except for 2021 where he did pretty well), never really liked his attitude or demeanor

I was relieved when we traded him away last offseason and got something out of him

It seemed like Cubs fans were really into him at least the first half of last season when he was really hot, "King Tuck" etc but then he cooled off, do Cubs fans like him?

hermanotarjeta · 12-31-2025, 03:16 PM

Dodgers fans hate Manny Machado, but the Padres and Orioles love him.

hermanotarjeta · 12-31-2025, 03:19 PM

Also Juan Soto, a target of ire by the Yankees, but nattys still love him.

Isn’t this like a jilted girlfriend question?

JMStang · 12-31-2025, 03:21 PM

For Ranger fans it’s Alex Rodriguez.

Bad contract, thanks Tom Hicks, and clubhouse vibes. To winning a World Series with the Yankees.

AJ Pierzynski gets special mention. Loved him if he was on your team, but hated him if he wasn’t.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mfw13 · 12-31-2025, 03:21 PM

Steve Garvey and/or Tommy Lasorda....beloved by Dodgers fans, hated by Giants fans.....

hermanotarjeta · 12-31-2025, 03:24 PM

I’m getting Alanis Morissette vibes in this thread.

finfangfan · 12-31-2025, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I’m getting Alanis Morissette vibes in this thread.

It’s like RAAAAIIIINNNN!!!!

dashcol · 12-31-2025, 03:33 PM

Jose Alruve.

majestik101 · 12-31-2025, 03:57 PM

Ohtani

Doyers fans think he's the greatest thing EVAR

Halo fans heinies are still sore

21Pittsburgh58 · 12-31-2025, 06:03 PM

Altuve

hermanotarjeta · 12-31-2025, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfangfan

It’s like RAAAAIIIINNNN!!!!

Not the song I was thinking about, LOL, but I guess it works too.

anusinha · 12-31-2025, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestik101

Ohtani

Doyers fans think he's the greatest thing EVAR

Halo fans heinies are still sore

Everyone that ended up on the Angels. Pujols, Rendon, Josh Hamilton, Upton

TBTC Baseball · 12-31-2025, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashcol

Jose Alruve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21Pittsburgh58

Altuve

I think you guys missed the assignment

Which players are beloved by one franchise’s fan base, but strongly disliked (or resented) by another team’s fans for whom they also played?

hotcalsun · 12-31-2025, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Dodgers fans hate Manny Machado, but the Padres and Orioles love him.

This is truth.

Would Bryce Harper with the Phillies / Nationals be another? (edit: noticed this was asked earlier as well)

Oddly, this seems much more difficult with baseball than other sports, for instance basketball where top players come to mind like Durant (Warriors / Thunder), Lebron (Heat / Cleveland - before he returned), etc.

YouTheManNick · 12-31-2025, 08:14 PM

Not baseball (sorry). But Joakim Noah is the first name that pops into my mind when I think of this topic.

Love him if he's on your team. Annoys the pants off you if he's not.

Us Bulls fans love him. I imagine all other fanbases do not.

stevebay · 12-31-2025, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfangfan

They inducted Bonds into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2024 which indicates any animosity for him softened over time. Did you visit PNC before then?

Yeah, I visited way back in 2010. The tour guide said the only photo in the stadium was that of Jim Leyland choking Bonds during spring training.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Do they really like him in DC?

I imagine he (or any other player) who played a big part in a WS championship would be "liked" by that franchise's fan base?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

Steve Garvey and/or Tommy Lasorda....beloved by Dodgers fans, hated by Giants fans.....

Garvey and Lasorda never played for the Giants.

SaveMeTheGum · 12-31-2025, 08:56 PM

JD Drew might fit this if there’s any fanbase that likes him.

tyrith · 12-31-2025, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotcalsun

Oddly, this seems much more difficult with baseball than other sports, for instance basketball where top players come to mind like Durant (Warriors / Thunder), Lebron (Heat / Cleveland - before he returned), etc.

A lot more of the NBA stars forced their way out of teams or made changes to create new super teams while screwing over their old team and fan base. Baseball stars don't hose their old teams as badly most of the time, leave for understandable money reasons (going from low payroll franchises to high ones), or get traded a year or two before FA.

fabiani12333 · 12-31-2025, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevebay

Barry Bonds — Loved by Giants fans despite controversy, yet his Pirates tenure feels almost erased. I once took a tour of PNC Park and the tour guide even mentioned there are hardly any Bonds references or photos in the stadium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfangfan

They inducted Bonds into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2024 which indicates any animosity for him softened over time. Did you visit PNC before then?

Bonds' last three seasons with the Pirates (during which he won his first two MVPs) were the last time the team was a legit title contender. Those who he angered are old or dead by now. The kids who saw him play have fond memories. That's why they inducted him into their Hall of Fame -- they realize he's a net positive for the franchise. He elevated the franchise, even if he was a diva.

fabiani12333 · 12-31-2025, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMStang

AJ Pierzynski gets special mention. Loved him if he was on your team, but hated him if he wasn’t.

The SF Giants traded for AJ in 2004 and he proceeded to lead the league in double plays with 27. He had a -1.19 WPA. The Giants missed the playoffs by a couple of games. He left the following season and was not liked by Giants fans at the time.

The White Sox obviously love him for his contributions to their 2005 World Series championship.

12-31-2025, 10:15 AM	#1
stevebay Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 205	Beloved by One Fanbase, Hated by Another: Which Players Fit This? Now that Anthony Rendon’s contract with the Angels is finally over, it got me thinking about an interesting question: Which players are beloved by one franchise’s fan base, but strongly disliked (or resented) by another team’s fans for whom they also played? A couple examples that come to mind: Anthony Rendon — A World Series hero for Washington, but a disappointment during his time with the Angels. Barry Bonds — Loved by Giants fans despite controversy, yet his Pirates tenure feels almost erased. I once took a tour of PNC Park and the tour guide even mentioned there are hardly any Bonds references or photos in the stadium. I know there’s always initial animosity when a player leave a team for another, but is there long lasting “hatred” from some fan bases toward a player? Who else fits this category? Curious to hear some good examples?

12-31-2025, 10:55 AM	#4
Bosoxfan5990 Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: MA Posts: 14,833 rossisportscards	Jacoby Ellsbury. Red Sox fans love him, Yankees fans hate him for that albatross of a contract. Pablo Sandoval. Giants fans love him, Red Sox fans hate him for that albatross of a contract. __________________ X & IG: rossisportcards. Bethel Johnson & A. Vinatieri. "A Goldin Shower of sorrow and regret." -ninjacookies (11/25/24) "never did, never will" - Delta5 (9/25/24)

12-31-2025, 02:55 PM	#5
TBTC Baseball Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: USA Posts: 1,175	Kris Bryant - loved by Cubs fans, seemingly hated by Rockies fans. Do Nationals fans hate Bryce Harper? __________________ Looking for: 2011 Topps Trevor Cahill - Platinum,and Printing Plates. Cards of players in Throwback/TBTC/TATC/Negro League jerseys. Last edited by TBTC Baseball; 12-31-2025 at 02:57 PM.

12-31-2025, 03:33 PM	#13
dashcol Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: It's complicated Posts: 7,809	Jose Alruve. __________________ “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.” Satchel Paige.

12-31-2025, 06:03 PM	#15
21Pittsburgh58 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Luke AFB, AZ Posts: 5,215 JackLambertHOF	Altuve __________________ 21-Roberto Clemente 58-Jack Lambert Liverpool FC - You'll Never Walk Alone! Carl Sagan: Pale Blue Dot. YouTube this and get over yourself Russ Westbrook, Trout, Shohei, Acuna, Charles LeClerc, Nick Kurtz, Sydney Sweeney

12-31-2025, 10:22 AM	#2
finfangfan Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 11,859	They inducted Bonds into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2024 which indicates any animosity for him softened over time. Did you visit PNC before then?

12-31-2025, 10:51 AM	#3
MiamiMarlinsFan Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Florida Posts: 13,828	Do they really like him in DC?

12-31-2025, 03:08 PM	#6
kipgen Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 1,394	As an Astros fan, I was never a Kyle Tucker fan Regular season stat stacker but never did much in the playoffs (except for 2021 where he did pretty well), never really liked his attitude or demeanor I was relieved when we traded him away last offseason and got something out of him It seemed like Cubs fans were really into him at least the first half of last season when he was really hot, "King Tuck" etc but then he cooled off, do Cubs fans like him?

12-31-2025, 03:16 PM	#7
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 22,448	Dodgers fans hate Manny Machado, but the Padres and Orioles love him.

12-31-2025, 03:19 PM	#8
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 22,448	Also Juan Soto, a target of ire by the Yankees, but nattys still love him. Isn’t this like a jilted girlfriend question?

12-31-2025, 03:21 PM	#9
JMStang Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 344	For Ranger fans it’s Alex Rodriguez. Bad contract, thanks Tom Hicks, and clubhouse vibes. To winning a World Series with the Yankees. AJ Pierzynski gets special mention. Loved him if he was on your team, but hated him if he wasn’t. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-31-2025, 03:21 PM	#10
mfw13 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 17,743	Steve Garvey and/or Tommy Lasorda....beloved by Dodgers fans, hated by Giants fans.....

12-31-2025, 03:24 PM	#11
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 22,448	I’m getting Alanis Morissette vibes in this thread.

12-31-2025, 03:57 PM	#14
majestik101 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Socially Distanced Posts: 45,526 majestik101	Ohtani Doyers fans think he's the greatest thing EVAR Halo fans heinies are still sore

12-31-2025, 08:14 PM	#20
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,618 trapjaw73 YTMN	Not baseball (sorry). But Joakim Noah is the first name that pops into my mind when I think of this topic. Love him if he's on your team. Annoys the pants off you if he's not. Us Bulls fans love him. I imagine all other fanbases do not. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

12-31-2025, 08:56 PM	#22
SaveMeTheGum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NH --> CA --> SC Posts: 16,737 Cardboard_Dynamite CardboardDynamite	JD Drew might fit this if there’s any fanbase that likes him. __________________ Pay fast. Ship fast. Deal with people honestly. IG: CardboardDynamite