How J.D. Drew Became the Most Hated Player in Baseball 

I just remember being 13 when he was at AAA Memphis and he refused to sign an autograph for me or anyone else when he was going to warm up. A pitcher on the team named Brian Barnes came out right after him and signed for people and loudly made fun of Drew for refusing to sign. A few other players talked about him also. He didn't make a very good impression on anybody Btw, I hope Brian Barnes sees this. I was disappointed when Drew wouldn't sign but when Barnes came through after him, signed my ball, and made fun of Drew, it really made me feel better 😂 Thank you Brian

No one makes baseball more unenjoyable than Scott Boras

The first problem: Scott Boras. Anything he’s involved in turns into a 💩 Show

“it’s not about money, it’s about me wanting $11 Million, but it’s not about money” - JD Drew

Papalbon said it best. He didn't give a sht.

As a Braves fan, I will go to my grave pissed that we traded a Adam Wainwright for Drew in his free agency year

JD Drew; now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time

Drew was ahead of his time in certain aspects of the MLB business. Course having Boras in your ear 24/7 telling him "You deserve more" so Boras could get a bigger cut

The guy earned tens of millions of dollars, an All-Star selection, a championship, etc. I'm sure he couldn't care less what people think of him.

He was described to me as a 5 tool player who only played with 3 tools at a time because one is broken and the other one takes too much effort to use.

Dodgers went after this guy and let Beltre walk. Horrid.

Drew does need to be held accountable for his actions. However the biggest villain here is Scott Boras, who is a cancer to MLB (unless you are a player).

Bust? No. Disappointment? Absolutely

As soon as I heard Boras’ name. I already knew what the issue was.

The whole “woulda” been a HOFer “if” this or that.. Baseball doesn’t work that way. Drew didn’t have the heart to be an HOFer.

I clicked on this video to relive JD-Cell batteries! 😂 Go Phils!!

"JD Who?" just about sums up his tenure in Boston.

As a Life long Boston Red Sox Fan, Would like to Thank J.D. & Stephen Drew for Being Big Parts of 2 WS Wins 2007&2013

The problem was the label of "next Mantle". No one is going to live up to that. From a lifelong Cards fan

As a Cardinal fan, I enjoyed his time with the team. Hated to see him go.

I was sitting in the RF bleachers at the Vet when JD Drew came back to Philly a few years later. During a quiet moment I yelled at him, "Another MVP season, eh, JD?" His next at bat he hit a home run within 20 feet of me. Humbled.

As a 20-something year old when Drew played, I thought he was a elitest prick. As a 40-something now, I respect that he tried to make as much money as possible. Good on you JD.

I don't care how good this guy was. I wouldn't allow him on any team I was a part of

wow man, seriously great work on the deep dive video!!!! i always said JD Drew had the sweetest swing i’ve ever seen but i didn’t know any of this history. nor did i realize just how elite his numbers are when you put his up against guys from the hall

I was at several games in Philly including the "battery game". I can tell you that the boos in The Vet were deafening

Dude..for all of these years I was wondering why JD Drew would get booed in Philadelphia, now I finally know why

The Phillies lost a prime draft opportunity because of what Drew did to them. The Cardinals were then able to trade Drew for Adam Wainwright, who was their closer when they won the 2006 World Series. The Braves only got Drew for one year. So the Cardinals really were the Team that most benefited from this guy.

10:26 "Forget winning ballgames, forget the home run chase, forget everything else, what REALLY brings fans to a stadium is the opportunity to hate on someone!" Both hilarious and true!

Was Drew a bust? Not by a long shot. No player who puts up 45 WAR with nearly 250 HRs and a career 125 OPS+ could ever honestly be labeled a bust. However, he could be labeled as having a disappointing career and all of the criticisms you threw at him during this video were 100% valid. To be fair his college career, especially that unbelievable 1997 junior season, and the hype surrounding him at the 1997 draft meant that he would be labeled a disappointment by some if he was anything less than prime Barry Bonds. That being said he and Scott Boras didn't do him any favors with how atrociously, and potentially attempted fraudulently, they handled his contract situation. I am surprised you didn't mention one thing that makes him look even worse. You stated that he only had 600 PA once in his career and that he didn't seem to really want to stay healthy. That one season was 2004, his contract year. The year before he was going to be a free agent the Cardinals, probably realizing they weren't going to get anywhere negotiating with Boras, sent Drew and catcher/utility player Eli Marrero to the Braves for established reliever Ray King, a young SP who had shown some flashes in his 2 (mostly) full MLB seasons (Jason Marquis), and some prospect no one had ever heard of (Aaron or Adam Rain-right? IDK?) That one season in Atlanta Drew (mostly) played hard every night, tried to stay on the field as much as possible, and was generally a good teammate. He slashed .305/.436/.569 for a 1.006 OPS and 157 OPS+. He hit 31 HRs, 28 2B, 8 3B, had 93 RBI, 118 R, and 118 BB. All of those counting stats were career highs at the time and all but the RBI and 2B would remain career highs. That, combined with plus baserunning and defense, led to a 6th place finish in the NL MVP voting. The only other year of his career his was even close to hitting like that was 2001 when he slashed .323/.414/.613 (1.027 OPS, 161 OPS+), but in typical Drew fashion he only played in 109 games and had fewer than 450 PA that season. He used that season to show he could stay healthy, not kill team chemistry, and be an MVP-level player. The Dodgers rewarded him with that big (at the time) contract. He then went right back to being the J.D. Drew that you described in this video.

He had the greatest year for a college player ever and was the most highly rated ever. Gets drafted number one and refuses to be short-changed by his employer. But the mob was told to hate him so they hated him.

Very similar to Eric Lindros actually. Screwed over the Nordiques. Always hurt. Had a very good career.

He became known by Cards fans as ‘D L Drew’ here’s to that:)

“Just Disabled” Drew. Hate that he got a World Series ring with the Red Sox, but he actually had a pretty good postseason that year.

Having “Free Battery night” at the Vet was a TERRIBLE idea but that is what happened that night, Sponsored by Duracell, I remember it WELL. Personally I think it was well planned out for the night of that Game. Scott Boras is a POS but he is Laughed all the way to the Bank, In fact he Bought the Bank.

Interesting video, thanks for posting. I remember his contract negotiations with Philly. His attitude gives off a kinda Anthony Rendon vibe.

He had a great swing and power. All around amazing baseball player and it was fun to watch him hit and overall he had a good career. Scott Boras is THE agent everyone wants but unfortunately has some shady tactics. I get the people of Philadelphia were pissed but they are the most aggressive and toxic fanbase in sports. Throwing batteries is just psychotic.

As a Boston supporter, we most certainly loved this guy. I'm sure there's a case that others may hate him, but definitely not by Sox fans.

Philly fans chucked batteries at him

Just remember being like (as a Cub fan) "Oh man, why can't we get a young player like Drew?" but then I never said it again. But we ended up grabbing Mark Prior who had a similar large signing bonus demand that saw the Twins pass on him. Prior wasn't disliked like Drew and had a fantastic season for the Cubs in 2003 but just couldn't stay healthy...like ever.

Awesome video man, filled with a bunch of stuff I didnt know. First video I’ve seen of yours and I definitely just subscribed

Lenny Dykstra and Curt Schilling giving character references? 😂. Two peas in a pod.

Dude was a straight turd. Talented with HOF potential, but didn't give AF. All he cared about was the money. He actually maybe worse than Rendon.

I will echo some others...not a bust, but didn't live up to the hype. This happens. D1 college baseball isn't Major League Baseball. Jason Heyward had similar hype and while not a bust, he's not the super star everyone and their brother said he would be.

Damn Scott been a menace since the 90’s

I didn’t know about any of the draft contract stuff. As a Braves fan I always hated him because he cost us Adam Wainwright (who was a Georgia native and a lifelong Braves fan and the Braves top farmhand who was dealt for Drew and 1 very good season where he declined to resign for a market value deal). I’m glad this bum flamed out. Prime example of thinking you’re better than you really are.

I'm a Red Sox fan and I have no complaints. I used to see highlights of him in LA and was pumped when the Sox signed him. I don't know if he lived up to the contract or not but he came up with some clutch hits. He was really good at baseball but wanted to make the most money he could from it. He was ahead of his time.

J.D. Drews a hall of famer? Give me a break. In 1999 he had the most primo spot ever, batting in front of Mark McGuire, and yet, he had the second lowest batting average in the Majors.

You earned a follow. This video was fantastic

Loved JD in Boston. the local media lit him up during the 07 until he hit the $11m grand slam in the ALCS. In 08 he carried the offense while Ortiz was on the shelf. Dude put in work and I'd say we in Boston got our moneys worth from him.

Around that 8:00 mark, that little finess to work Drew in there kinda incognito was slick.

I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Japanese-American and male, so I was rooting for the Red Sox in 2007, and in 2013 when STEVEN Drew was on the Red Sox. To me, everything is about LOOKS, so I can't see how someone who LOOKS like JD Drew could be so hated.

J.D. Drew was the Fred Lynn of his generation. Amazing talent who really didn't care about playing baseball.

That narration… ooof

We definitely hated him in philly. Maybe the most hated athlete in philly for about 5 years

Just started the video I watched is entire red sox career he was a good Pro baseball player the only thing i can crap on him was he caught a foul ball down by 1 with a man on third and 1st with 1 out aside from that good player

funny that he quotes felon Lenny Dykstra as a moral authority

Nancy Drew was pretty much loved in the same way in Boston And, yes, he was a selfish player. No, he is not a hall of famer

When I saw the title and thumbnail, I did not think anyone cared enough about JD Drew to hate him. All I remembered about him was "good when not hurt, but usually hurt." I did not remember how hated he was in Philadelphia. Then again, I imagine that was just the player (or one of numerous players) Phillies fans were throwing batteries at that day. But he did seem like a dick with all that contract subterfuge.

So Anthony Rendon is J.D. Drew the second...

In boston, when he got hot, he actually at times carried the team. And this was a team with Papi and Manny and Mike Lowell if I remember correctly. And I wonder if Drew and shilling made up in 07? Doubt it, knowing what we know about shilling now. And didn’t shilling and dykstra do much worse than Drew’s contract hijinks? Sure JD got hurt too much, and that was frustrating, but I think his nonchalant attitude wasn’t him giving 75% like Tony Larussa said, it was just how he needed to play to stay loose. Larussa was a legend at the time, but he was kind of a dinosaur and is now known for throwing players under the bus, right?

Drew wasn't a bust. He was a double bust. He was a bust for the expectations of the 1997 Phillie draft and then he was a bust for his expectations in his second draft appearance in 1998.

the most hated player in baseball is Barry Bonds or someone else no one knows who JD was...

Funny, Drew's talent was over hyped but by the time his career was over, I'd argue that his body of work was underrated. He was paid about what he should for his production.

I have to give La Russa credit. His plan worked. I was at the game where McGwire hit number 62 & somehow never realized that was also Drew's first game in the MLB. (I don't care what the PED issues uncovered. That was an amazing night at the old Busch Stadium. After the strike, McGwire & Sosa put fans back in the stands. Without that homerun chase, MLB might have had some real problems with attendance. Fans were pissed about the strike.)

"Someone that could have gone down as a hall-of-famer" HUGE stretch of the imagination. No, literally not. One and only year 100 RBI. High in HR's? 31, once. High in hits? 158. Laughable

He's basically what 2/3 of athletes are today. Overpaid, & with little care who always took any slight bump to chill half the season. He was before his time a bit, using people's ridiculous obsession for sports to get paid a lot. Did much less than he could have, and magically be healthy for payday. The J.D Drews all over sports are why I only watch clips of sports instead of caring to be interested. Not wasting hours on people playing a game who don't have the same care they seem to have once had. They are paid like kings anymore of potential and not outcomes.

I thought Machado holds that record. Clubhouse poison.

I was at 2 games of the 1999 Phillies home stand when J.D Drew appeared that August..I honestly don’t think most people went just to boo Drew. Sure,that was part of it but don’t forget how popular Mark McGwire was at the time..He was a phenomenon!.At the time he was being compared to Babe Ruth..Even during batting practice the stadium was filled just to see McGwire hit..That being said ,booing Drew was fun as hell!

Trading him in 2003 was the best thing for the Cardinals. Drew could not stay healthy and it got them Wainwright.

From what I have heard: Scott Boras is what Drew put it kindly! I am 26, so I don't remember a lot about Drew! It is about the money , when your agent says: you were offered $,3 million! You only wanted $7.5 million? Sign a series of one year contracts, then maybe after 5 years, you get a human being as an agent! Can't wait until I reach the end of this video and see what Drew actually did to become HATED???

He was part of one of the worst trades in Atlanta Braves history. We traded Adam Wainwright to St. Louis for him. I still get sick at the thought of it.

Jd was not going to be a hofer stop

Those late 90s college baseball stats have to be viewed through the lens of that era. Offense was out of control with some incredible bats that were still legal. This was a time when a 25-18 score wasn't particularly surprising. South Carolina beat Clemson 38-16 that year.

Imagine thinking JD Drew is a villain as you throw batteries at him...? Also I'm pretty sure being hated by Curt Schilling is a badge of honor now

If Lenny Dykstra and Curt Schilling are hating on you, that's a badge of honor.

I wonder if JD ever crossed paths with Busty-Bust? I absolutely feel the two of them are old friends, bonded by parallel paths they navigated. Hypothetically, Kwame and JD both residents of Atlanta who drove oversized Pickup trucks and wore cowboy boots while carrying unattainable expectations an all the while they never let effort get squandered. Im a fan of baseball, basketball, JD Drew, and Kwame Brown. I can also do a kickflip, ya dig?

Ten cent beer night works too.

Hated him when he was on the Red Sox, but they don’t win the 2007 WS without him.

10:50 I was at that game. The booing could’ve been heard all the way to Pittsburgh.

Drew was exactly what La Rossa said he was, a good player with potential to be great who was content to not push himself & just take his payday. Maybe his antics that brought down all the hatred before he played a single game in the MLB burned out his desire to push for greatness. He was able to get around $10 million a season just coasting without a ton of hard work. As a Cardinal fan, it was frustrating because you could see that there was so much untapped potential. The guy just wasn't concerned with having a statue in front of the stadium or seeing his number retired. He just wanted the checks to hit his account.

I watched him play for the Red Sox and he was not a hall of fame caliber player. Sorry, he’s not even close.

As a Braves fan I called him Just Dollars Drew

He was injured a lot but I think the biggest injury was between his ears. Having Boros tell you what to do tells ya all you need to know. Look what he did with Blake Snell just this year.

Very cool video on a topic and dude that doesn’t get brought up enough

I remember the controversy surrounding J.D. Drew when the Cardinals acquired him. I knew none of the particulars of his dealings with the Phillies - and am surprised to learn how convoluted they were. I also didn't know what a once-in-a-lifetime stud Drew was in college. I did note that he wore "7" - Mickey Mantle's number. Expectations were high for the young man. And perhaps he overvalued himself. One thing about professional athletics is you can never rule out injury. I don't know if it's fair to say Drew only gave 75% - but, like Mantle, it may be fair to say J.D. Drew didn't take care of himself as he should have. That probably is true of at least half the population of the World. I had to comment because I didn't know just how widespread the antipathy toward J.D. Drew was. This kind of report makes me think of Hal Chase, who played a century earlier. Chase had his own agenda it appears, and gambling was part of it. I never heard J.D. Drew being accused of cheating or throwing games - but it appears he cheated himself and Baseball.

been a cardinal fan forever he was poison glad he left. putting him the hof would make a mockery of the voters.

We use to call him, "DL" Drew in Boston, because after signing him to a huge contract he immediately went on the disabled list for like 90 percent of the length of it! ... He is Friggin Useless!

Red Sox fan here. Drew always seemed like he just didn't care enough. Not that he didn't care at all, just not to the degree needed to become an all-time great. He had the skill to do it, just not the want. He never seemed the least bit upset when he screwed up or didn't come through in one way or another, I always remember being irked about that when he was in Boston. He did have a few memorable playoff moments though.

I loved JD on the Sox ... He broke his back on that short porch in Fenway ...

So this is the guy who Johnny Manziel based his future career on !!! 😂😂

JD Drew went to play for the St. Paul Saints in the Northern Independent League after he didnt sign with Philly in 1997. Thats a big part of this story because it kept him sharp and in shape for the following year for the 98 draft. No way he gets that money laying fully out of baseball a full year after his Sr year of college.

I was excited when he was signed to the Red Sox for big money. He underperformed quite a bit. But than hit a grand slam in the playoffs against the Yankees and l was like, "eh".

You're too young to have lived it, there was no cap on contracts for players in the MLB draft back then. What JD Drew did is not abnormal. People think the big market/small market problem in the MLB relates mostly to free agency, but back then it as much about the draft. Small market teams would routinely pick guys they could afford and the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers would get the top guys. It was real bad in the 80s/90s. Funny how the Yankees haven't been dominate since the luxury tax and draft/international signings changes took place.

I’m a life long Cardinal’s fan, & always liked JD. My Dad breathed StL! He did care for JD, due to him not Hustling while playing. So, I’d say that 75% effort by LaRussa was probably spot on. He had such talent, but he seemed to play as though he were board with it? I used to compare him to a house cat, kinda nonchalantly milled around, until it was time for him to bounce!! As far as anything out of Philly, they’ve gotta terrible fan base? Any player that’s ever been traded off, the constantly boo & heckle the player. Phanatical they are in deed!

You talk as if stats alone are the be all & end all. All this video proves is that you don't judge a player by numbers alone. The best ability is "availability"!

lol my favorite college player of all time. The greatest IMO. That one year he spent with my Braves was a joy. We all knew he would never stay. I don't/can't hate JD. But I get why some people do. People hate when others make things look easy that they wish they could do. JD looked like he didn't give a damn and was still great. People don't like that.

I love JD Drew, he's always been one of my favorite players and finding out that he gave the Phillies a hard time makes me like him even more.

if he could possibly sit out a game he would, that was just the way he was.

I’m a Red Sox fan and he had one huge hit. That’s all he did in the 5 years here.

We old phillies fans still hate him and still talk about it. We all hold some batteries in our back pocket in case we just manage to run into him