We got together this week and we have each submitted our own
TOP 5 MOST HATED FIGURES IN SPORTS
Tom - AJS Contributing Writer
5. Johnny Damon
Well he is very hated in Boston, but that is all that matters up there.
4. John Rocker
Who can forget him with all his racial comments. Career went in the trash and never amounted to anything after those comments.
3. Barry Bonds
Steroids. Period.
2. Danny Snyder
He will and has run the Redskins into the ground. All he cares about is money and just raised parking spots to $35 per and that still gets you a nice 3 mile walk.
1. George Steinbrenner
Because he owns the Yankees and everybody hates the Yankees
Dan - AJS Contributing Writer
5. Mike Tyson/Don King
Disgusting. Disgrace. We should have revoked Tyson’s license for humanity while we were at it.
4.Maurice Clarett/Marcus Vick
You know a man deserves a second chance, but I’ve lost track of what one these two %^&clowns are on.
3. Barry Bonds
Barry on performance enhancers: “It’s not like this is the Olympics…we’re entertainers.” Since when did MLB become WWE?
2. Jason Whitlock
ND racist for extending Weis’ contact?? Just look at next year’s freshman class moron! And Wisconsin holding Brett Favre hostage?? Bull*&#^!
1. That French Judge
The skating controversy in Salt Lake left the French the running joke for years…or was it WWII?
Honorable mention
The Michigan Wolverines…every single one of ‘em
Rick - AJS Basketball Editor
5. "The General" Robert Montgomery Knight.
But if your name isn't Dean Smith, you don't have a lot of room to talk.
4. Michael Jordan.
When the man was in his prime, there was just no beating him. Those of us who were not Chicago Bulls fans had to wait a decade (give or take a baseball season or two) to see the game be competitive again.
3. The inventor of Astroturf.
2. George Steinbrenner
Born on the 4th of July. Busted for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon. Author of the quote: "I will never have a heart attack. I give them." Steinbrenner doesn't play to play, Steinbrenner plays to win. His New York Yankees have done an awful lot of that, but let's face it: nobody roots for Goliath.
1. The ref
The ref needs glasses. The ump wouldn't know a strike zone if they actually had that ESPN box above the plate. The ref let the Dream travel, the Mailman kick, and Jordan push off on every single possession. The ref wouldn't pull the hanky if his nose was running. Week in, week out, there is no single more hated figure in sports than the poor schlub who has to make the call.
Ron - AJS Baseball and Pro-Football Editor
5. Bode Miller
For demonstrating on the world stage that hype is exactly that and therefore overshadowing Ted Ligety, who kept his mouth shut and took home the gold. Another wonderful embarrassment for the United States.
4. Lindsey Jacobellis
For demonstrating on the world stage exactly how stupid Americans can be with her hotdog move that cost her the gold. Brought back memories of Leon Lett and Don Beebe in the Super Bowl. Lindsey embarrassed not only herself but the entire country with that move.
3. Alfonso Soriano
On the fast track to becoming the T.O. of baseball. Refuses to play the outfield, refuses to do anything his TEAM asks him to do. The way I see it: You work for me. I pay your salary. I tell you what job to do. You don't do it, you don't get paid. Simple as that.
2. T.O.
Just because. I don't care how good he is, I don't want that bag of wind on my team. The consummate selfish player who cares about nothing but himself. If something goes wrong it's everyone else's fault but his.
1. Butt Selig
For the sham that is the WBC, for dragging out the situation with the Nats' stadium and ownership deals as long as humanly possible and more importantly, kowtowing to ONE owner (Angelos) and thereby alienating millions of fans in the DC area.
Joe - AJS College Football Editor
1. Keith Hernandez
NO, not for the loogie incident, but for leaving my beloved Cardinals for the Mets. It was 10 years before I could refer to him as anything but "that mercenary traitor, Keith Hernandez.
2. George Steinbrenner
Keep writing those checks, George. It won't keep you out of Hell.
3. Darrell Royall
2 time All American at Oklahoma. Went on to coach the Texas Longhorns.
Some things just can't be forgiven.
4. Curt Flood
Yes, he's a Cardinal, but if he hadn't broken the reserve clause, free agency wouldn't be ruining sports today.
5. Coach K
This one is recent, but has anyone heard this guy whining about how poor JJ Riddick gets booed everywhere they go? Your fans have taken to concept of getting under a players skin to one step below hooliganism, but you cry because your players now have to eat on the road what you dish out at home? Tell your pathetic fans to shut up before you criticize anyone else.
Don - AJS Editor-in-chief
5. George Steinbrenner
See any and all of the reasons others have already given in this article.
4. Ty Cobb
An ass extraordinaire - he got away with a lot because he was so good, but that doesn't make him less hated (for further confirmation - see the quote from Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams")
3. British Soccer Fans
The original hooligans - these guys get into street fights just hoping a soccer game will break out.
2. Oakland Raiders
Okay maybe it's more of a love-'em or hate-'em thing, but this team and their fans have the worst reputation in the NFL by far for dirty play and a completely inhospitable environment that is the Oakland Coliseum.
1. Pete Rose
One of the most revered players in the game during his career, he smeared all that when he started betting on baseball.
Honorable mention
Barry Bonds - I have a feeling will soon be on a lot of people's list - there are no cheats to get you in the hall of fame.
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