6 of the most hated Blue Jays players of all-time

It's fair to say Anthony Bass was not particularly popular after criticizing United Airlines for apparently making his pregnant wife pick up popcorn that their children had spilled. Whether it was Blue Jays or baseball fans in general, he received a lot of negative feedback.

However this paled in comparison to the backlash Bass received, when he shared a video on Instagram. The video called for a boycott of Target and Bud Light, because they supported the LGBTQ community.

The way the situation was dealt with in general by the Blue Jays, resulted in a lot of criticism. Ultimately, the team had no choice but to release the pitcher.

This brings to mind Blue Jays players who've been hated over the years for a variety of reasons, whether it be by the fans, other players, coaches, or even the media. There's plenty to choose from, but here is a selection of six players who have incurred the wrath of those around them during their time in Toronto:

Alex Rios

Alex Rios seemed destined for something special in Toronto. Selected 19th overall in the 1999 draft, he blazed a successful trail through the minors, before making his Major League debut in 2004.

Rios was soon establishing himself as a key part of the Blue Jays' roster, and was selected to the All-Star Game in both 2006 and 2007. The 2007 season was also notable for him being named the team's player of the year.

This all contributed towards the decision to sign the outfielder to a seven-year, $69.835 million contract in April 2008. At the age of just 27, he was entering his prime and looked to have a long and prosperous future ahead of him in Toronto.

However, as can happen when someone becomes rich and famous at a young age, it all seemed to go to Rios' head. There was speculation about him not listening to his coaches and not always putting in the effort.

The Coffee, Alabama native's offensive production was also beginning to slip, but things came to a head following a Blue Jays' fundraising event. He was caught on video swearing at a fan after ignoring a child's request for an autograph.

Rios was placed on waivers in August of 2008, with the official line that money and the economy was a key factor. However, you have to believe his attitude and declining production also played a role.

For his part, the three-time World Baseball Classic participant genuinely believed (and hoped) he was somehow going to remain with the Blue Jays. As per Jack Curry of The New York Times, at the time he said:

This is the place that I first started playing and this is the place that I like. I’d like to finish my career here, but you have to see it in other ways. It’s a business for them, and they’re going to do what they have to do to do what they want to achieve.

Rios was subsequently claimed by the White Sox and fans were left wondering about what could have been with the mercurial talent. For his part he would come back to haunt the Blue Jays in 2015, playing well as the Royals knocked them out in the ALCS on their way to a World Series championship.

Shea Hillenbrand

For someone who was only with the Blue Jays for just over one and a half seasons, Shea Hillenbrand sure left an impression on the organization, albeit not a positive one. He also serves as a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong for someone in the world of professional baseball.

Hillenbrand had an excellent first season in Toronto, which included his second All-Star selection. (He also led the Majors in hits by a pitcher, with a Blue Jays record of 22.) However, things took a turn for the worse the following year in 2006, after he had adopted a baby girl.

The 1996 10th round draft pick was upset, because he believed the Blue Jays were not sensitive to him needing a few days on the West Coast to complete the adoption. He added the organization left him out of the lineup upon his return, and also did not congratulate him.

This led to Hillenbrand writing "play for yourself" and "this ship is sinking" on a board in the clubhouse. As per ESPN, then manager John Gibbons subsequently challenged him to a fight during a tense team meeting, but the offer was declined.

Gibbons told the Mesa, Arizona native he would never play again for the Blue Jays, then let the front office know he would resign if they sided with the player. They backed their manager and Hillenbrand was traded to the Giants soon after.

Erik Hinske -- whether he was talking for the team or just himself -- went on to criticize the two-time All-Star. Hinske essentially said the job of a player is to check their ego at the door and put the team first.

The former third and first baseman didn't help himself, by already having a bad reputation from how he acted during his time with the Red Sox. Coincidental or not, he would only last one more year in the Majors before having to call it quits.

In fairness to Hillenbrand, he has since come out and admitted he was in the wrong with regards to how things played out in Toronto. He has also opened up about the pressure and mental issues he contended with, during his time playing professional baseball.

A.J. Burnett

If we're talking polarizing or perception being reality, A.J. Burnett's your man. Depending on who you ask, he's either surly or shy, a trouble maker or passionate, and so on.

That Burnett was even available for the Blue Jays to sign, came down to him criticizing the Marlins following a frustrating loss during the 2005 season. As per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, at the time he said:

We played scared. We managed scared. We coached scared. I'm sick of it, man. It's depressing around here. A 3-0 ballgame, I give up one run and leave guys on base, it's like they expect us to mess up. And when we do, they chew us out. There is no positive, nothing around here for anybody

As a result of Burnett's comments, the Marlins told him he was no longer wanted by the club. He did eventually apologize, but the door opened for the Blue Jays to sign him to a five year, $55 million deal.

The North Little Rock, Arkansas native already had a reputation for being injury-prone, and this continued in Toronto. He even started his Blue Jays career on the Injured List and would deal with several ailments during his first two seasons with the team.

The talent was undoubtedly there, but just not on display enough. Along with Burnett continuing to come across to people as unfriendly, he proved to be a frustration figure who fans struggled to get behind.

It was only in 2008 that the righty finally pitched a relatively injury-free season, leading the AL with 34 starts. He also lead the AL with a career-high 231 strikeouts and set another single-season best, with 18 wins.

However, any goodwill that was built up for Burnett during that year soon disappeared, as he opted out of his contract to become a free agent. He subsequently signed with the Yankees and admittedly proved he made the right decision, as they won the World Series in his first season in New York.

Colby Rasmus

In theory, the trade for Colby Rasmus in July 2011 was a positive one, at least from a talent perspective. The Cardinals had previously drafted him 28th overall in 2005, and at one point he was the third-rated prospect in all of baseball.

However, the addition came with a warning that Rasmus did not fit in well with his coaches and teammates during his time in St. Louis, This arguably explained why the Blue Jays did not have to part with anyone of particular value in their return package.

Pending how accurate the speculation was, a change of scenery can sometimes help a player. In this respect, the Blue Jays did sign the outfielder to a one-year, $2.7 US million deal ahead of the 2012 season, seeming to suggest he had acclimatized well to the clubhouse.

It helped that Rasmus' father, who had been a constant thorn in the Cardinals' side, was less hands-on in Toronto. He was also performing well enough on the field, highlighted by 23 home runs and a career-high 75 RBI during 2012.

The result was signing another one-year deal ahead of the 2013 season, this time for $4.675 million. At one point during the campaign, the Columbus, Georgia native was graded as the league's second-best overall center fielder behind a certain Mike Trout.

Everything seemed to be going well for Rasmus, who after the season was named the Blue Jays' Wilson 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. He once more signed another one-year deal, for $7 million.

However, 2014 would be Rasmus' final year in Toronto, with him seeing less playing time as the season progressed. Neither side had any interest in negotiating another deal.

It was only after the now 37-year-old left, that word got out about his attitude and commitment around the team. He was one of a number players who left, as the Blue Jays looked to change the culture in the clubhouse.

In respect of Rasmus specifically, Adam Lind hinted at what his departure meant for the Blue Jays. As per yahoo! sports' Mark Townsend, he said: "There might be a few more smiles with Colby gone.”

J.P. Arencibia

J.P. Arencibia arrived in Toronto with high expectations. Selected 21st overall in the 2007 draft, he was projected as the Blue Jays' future long-term catcher.

The expectations only grow, following Arencibia's stunning Major League debut in August 2010. He hit a home run on his first ever pitch, went on to record another blast and finished with four overall hits.

The next season saw the Miami, Florida native take over as the starting catcher on opening day. He would finish the year with encouraging totals of 23 homers, 78 RBI, 36 walks and 47 runs.

Little did Arencibia know at the time, but these would all represent career highs. There were still some signs though that he might struggle in the long run, as per a .219 batting average and leading the Majors with 12 passed balls.

The 2012 campaign would be a frustrating one for University of Tennessee alumni. While he saw some improvement in his contact with the ball, his season was compromised by injury.

The following season was when it all really started to fall apart for Arencibia, as he became a regular target for criticism from media and fans alike. In particular, he got into a contentious public feud with Sportsnet's media personalities Gregg Zaun and Dirk Hayhurst.

There was no denying the 2006 USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year was struggling at the plate, as evidenced by a horrific .592 OPS. However, it did seem to a certain extent he was being made a scapegoat for the team's overall struggles, in a year which had begun with high expectations.

This was something Arencibia discussed the next year, after he had left the Blue Jays and signed with the Rangers. As per Bill Baer of NBC Sports, he said:

I think the media made me out to be a monster — I wasn’t. They changed a lot of things that I said or made up stories. So I thought that that was a big thing that went down. I learned how much media does control things.