Baseball is a sport that moves at its own pace, one that rewards patience and precision. Predictably, the sport has rewarded calm, cerebral players who take a measured approach on the mound, at bat, or in the field. That said, baseball has had its fair share of tantrum-prone players despite its sedate reputation.
From players who’ve clashed with their teammates to those who’ve literally attacked fans in the stands, baseball has had plenty of fiery characters over the decades — and these just may be the angriest.
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb’s playing career ended around a century ago, but he continues to loom large in baseball lore not just for his hitting ability, but also for his combustible temper.
From intentionally spiking his opponents while running the bases (Cobb reportedly made a show of sharpening his spikes in the dugout) to clashing with hotel and service staff on the road, Ty Cobb had a knack for making enemies everywhere he went. In perhaps his most famous temper tantrum, he jumped into the stands to beat up a heckler in 1912. When fans pointed out that the heckler had only partial use of his hands, Cobb replied, “I don’t care if he has no feet!”