I miss baseball. I never thought I would say this. It’s been forever since I’ve been able to see real live sports on TV. Of course I can watch MMA or even Bundesliga, but those aren’t options that excite me. I yearn for the day when I can crack a beer, sit back and pass out in the 5th inning, then wake up to realize there’s still 3 innings left. What I miss specifically are the bench clearings, the beanings and the sometimes unexplained hatred between two players facing each other on the mound. There’s no doubt the Astros will be a part of some epic battles and I look forward to seeing which Astro eats one first. As it stands the MLB is in talks to start the 2020 season but due to COVID-19 fears there’s a chance we may have to wait until 2021. Regardless, here’s a list of my top 5 baseball fights. If I missed any good ones you believe should be top 5, add it in the comments!
#5 A.J. Pierzynski eats a fist
A.J. Pierzynski didn’t really deserve to be punched for running over Michael Barrett in this meeting of these Chicago rivals.
#4 Bautista gets what’s coming to him
Jose Bautista’s controversial slide into Rougned Odor at second base sparks a wild fight between the Rangers and Blue Jays. I gotta give to Bautista, he took it like a man.
#3 Pedro Martinez vs Don Zimmer
What a wild ALCS ! Pedro Martinez throws Don Zimmer (72 years old at the time) to the ground, my jaw still hasn’t dropped from seeing this. Poor Donny! Leave him alone!
#2 Tito Martinez gets Drilled
The fight that never ended. This one is a classic, Tito gets drilled by Armando Benitez and multiple fights break out on the field. Most notable was Darryl Strawberry throwing fists left and right. This is the definition of a classic bench clearing.
#1 Robin Ventura vs Nolan God damn Ryan
They really oughta build a statue of Nolan Ryan head-locking Ventura. I put this as #1 because I’m yet to see anyone get their heads knocked off like this ever since. Nolan Ryan is one of the greatest pitchers of all time and by all accounts one of the baddest men to ever live. Long Live Nolan Ryan!