MLB's Top 10 Baseball Scandals: From Steroids and Cheating to Legendary Downfalls

[Kayce]

We examine the ten most significant scandals in Major League Baseball history that changed the sport forever. These infamous events, from doping and cheating to gambling controversies, highlight baseball’s most troubling periods and their enduring impacts.

Watch an in-depth analysis of MLB’s Steroid Era and its lasting effects on baseball history:

1. The Black Sox Scandal (1919)​

In one of baseball's darkest chapters, eight Chicago White Sox players conspired to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series in exchange for gambling money. This scandal resulted in lifetime bans for all involved, notably including legendary outfielder "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, despite his impressive .375 batting average during the series. The scandal led to the establishment of the Commissioner of Baseball role, aiming to restore integrity to the game.

2. The Steroid Era (1990s–2000s)​

Baseball’s Steroid Era featured explosive offensive performances by prominent players such as Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez. Records fell amidst rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), ultimately detailed in the Mitchell Report (2007), which identified 89 MLB players involved. Bonds’ home run record and McGwire and Sosa’s historic 1998 home run battle became permanently overshadowed by PED controversies.

3. Houston Astros' Sign-Stealing Scandal (2017)​

The 2017 Houston Astros tarnished their championship title by implementing a high-tech sign-stealing system using cameras and communication via banging on trash cans. Following MLB’s investigation, severe penalties were enforced, including heavy fines, lost draft picks, and lifetime bans for General Manager Jeff Luhnow and a one-year suspension for Manager A.J. Hinch, who was subsequently dismissed.

4. Pete Rose Gambling Scandal (1989)​

Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, received a lifetime ban from MLB after evidence surfaced that he bet on baseball games as both a player and manager. Despite continuous debates and fan petitions advocating his Hall of Fame reinstatement, Rose remains barred due to the league's stringent anti-gambling policies.

5. MLB Cocaine Scandal (1980s)​

The cocaine scandal of the 1980s profoundly impacted baseball’s public image. Prominent players like Keith Hernandez, Dave Parker, and Tim Raines were implicated, revealing extensive substance abuse within the league. While no player suspensions occurred, MLB initiated major anti-drug policies to address this critical issue and rehabilitate the league’s reputation.

6. Gaylord Perry's Spitball Controversy (1960s–1980s)​

Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry famously doctored baseballs using foreign substances such as spit, grease, and Vaseline throughout his illustrious career. Remarkably, Perry openly admitted these practices in his autobiography "Me and the Spitter," highlighting baseball’s ambiguous stance on certain forms of cheating.

7. Miami Marlins' Fire Sales (1997–2012)​

Owner Jeffrey Loria dismantled Miami Marlins' rosters immediately following their 1997 and 2003 World Series victories. These abrupt player trades were financial decisions that alienated fans, severely damaging trust and branding the Marlins as symbols of poor franchise management and disloyalty to supporters.

8. Atlanta Braves International Signing Violations (2016–2017)​

The Atlanta Braves faced strict MLB penalties after their general manager, John Coppolella, was found guilty of violating international signing rules. Coppolella received a lifetime ban, and 13 illegally signed prospects became free agents, while the Braves lost significant future draft opportunities, emphasizing MLB’s intolerance for rule-breaking.

9. The Pine Tar Incident (1983)​

One of baseball’s most bizarre controversies occurred on July 24, 1983, involving Kansas City Royals star George Brett. Brett’s decisive home run against the New York Yankees was temporarily nullified after Yankees manager Billy Martin claimed excessive pine tar use on Brett’s bat. MLB later reinstated the home run, but the incident became an iconic moment reflecting baseball’s intricate rules and regulations.

10. Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays Casino Incident (1983)​

Legendary players Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays were controversially forced by MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to resign from coaching roles due to promotional affiliations with Atlantic City casinos. Public backlash against MLB’s harsh treatment eventually led new Commissioner Peter Ueberroth to reinstate both icons, although the controversy underscored MLB’s sensitivity around gambling connections.

Impact and Legacy of MLB Scandals​

These scandals significantly impacted MLB’s legacy, forcing substantial reforms to preserve integrity. Consequences included the creation of the Commissioner’s role, stringent doping regulations, advanced technological oversight, and reinforced anti-gambling measures. Additionally, the incidents led to decreased fan trust, heightened media scrutiny, and lasting reputational damage for involved individuals and teams.