Hate is a strong word. It’s an emotion that’s ugly and noxious, and shouldn’t be thrown around lightly. The things that are done because of the casual manner in which people embrace this negative passion are really too awful to consider.

But in life, baseball is real and important, and allowing your petty gripes to coalesce into irrational antipathy is a vital part of the experience of being a fan.

(So long as you realize that it’s just baseball, and it’s not actually real or important, and not worth your energy. Just so we’re clear.)

Often, the most hateable players are those within your own division. The contemptuous familiarity that comes out of seeing a player repeatedly over 19 head-to-head matchups is enough to make you lose your grip and give in to the darkness.

As a personal example, situational lefty reliever Randy Choate spent a few years as a marginal player for the Yankees, then eventually landed in Tampa Bay in 2009 and 2010. Over those two seasons, he faced the Blue Jays 24 (!) times, and held them to a .186 batting average (8-for-43) with 16 whiffs versus four walks. He was always particularly harsh on Adam Lind: eight strikeouts and one single in 19 plate appearances.

Choate’s effect on my psyche over those two seasons was sufficient enough that I have carried my #ChoateHate forward, sending hexes in his direction any time I see him take the mound, especially in the playoffs.

Considering he has pitched in 14 post-season games in the last two years, I’ve had ample opportunity. Though that many important appearances indicates that he might be winning this one-sided quarrel that he doesn’t even realize he’s part of.

With the constant movement of players around the league, your particular hate-crushes might come and go from one year to the next, and there are new players who have found their way into the Blue Jays’ divisional matchups. Here’s a handy guide to some of the new AL East players you might find yourself hating on in the coming months.

Tampa Bay Rays — Steven Souza Jr.



Souza might soon end up in the category of a star player, and could play his way into a grudging respect. But for the time being, the rookie outfielder has already made himself an unwelcome guest in Toronto with six hits, four runs, a stolen base and two mammoth home run in three games so far. It’s almost galling to see a player like this end up in Tampa.

Boston Red Sox — Hanley Ramirez



Typically, it’s hard to hate a star player because the entire sentimental transaction requires an irrational response and fearing a talented player actually seems rational. It’s the middling role players who always seem to drive you nuts.

But Ramirez’s swagger can be distasteful. At least there’s a sense of dark optimism that his big free agent deal will end up as a bust for the BoSox.

An honourable mention goes to Wade Miley, a back-of-the-rotation pitcher who the Blue Jays beat around in his one start against them (5 earned runs in 1.2 innings). If he were to stifle Toronto’s offence going forward, he’s just the sort of ordinary pitcher who would drive you nuts.

New York Yankees — Chasen Shreve



Maybe it’s the daytime soap opera name, or his role as a lefty reliever. Maybe it’s because he’s one of the few non-veterans on a team filled with hopeless, old stars on impossibly long contracts. Whatever the case, there was something about the cut of this guy’s jib that was bracing from the moment I saw him. I was unusually happy to see Devon Travis take him deep, and that may have been about more than seeing our rookie do well.

Baltimore Orioles — Travis Snider



Ok, serious hot take coming. After having pined for Snider to succeed through five seasons in Toronto, and rooted for him after the Blue Jays’ lunkheaded decision to cast him off for Brad Lincoln, how maddening will it be if Snider comes back to the AL East and starts pounding away at his former team?

For someone who has been a Snider booster for years, I had an uncomfortably ornery feeling upon seeing him crack a three-run homer against the Blue Jays on Sunday. Maybe deep love can turn into profound hate that quickly.