MLB Players Favor Dodgers, Reject Athletics in League-Wide Survey

A recent series of anonymous surveys conducted by The Athletic among Major League Baseball players revealed significant insights about team reputations and management preferences for the 2025 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers overwhelmingly topped the list as the most respected organization, with no players citing them as having a bad reputation, followed by the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Guardians, all praised for their winning cultures and player treatment. Conversely, the Oakland Athletics received the worst reputation due to their perceived frugality, poor facilities, and lack of commitment to winning, with the Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, and Colorado Rockies also viewed negatively. In terms of management, players expressed a strong reluctance to play for St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol, tying him with the then-fired Rockies manager Bud Black as the least desired. The surveys also highlighted player appreciation of the Cubs and Braves for their tradition and family support, while the Texas Rangers were noted in a separate cultural context for refusing to hold a Pride Night, bucking the prevailing trends in Major League Baseball. These findings paint a complex picture of MLB’s internal dynamics, balancing on-field success, organizational culture, and social issues.