To know where we're going...
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Aug 11, 2008 4:17 PM EDT
11 comments
The old adage is that to know where we're going, we need to know where we've been. Last Sunday, for the first time in what seems like forever, the Royals were involved in a brawl with the White Sox. In the waning years of the Buddy Bell regime, the Royals rarely seemed to get into it w/ opponents, and this seemed to be true of the Trey Hillman Royals as well. While we do have some guys with some history (Olivo, Greinke, Guillen), we really have no idea how this situation/rivalry will be handled with the White Sox in the future. Ozzie Guillen is known for doing crazy things, and beaning hitters in retaliation is certainly in his bag of tricks. I personally don't believe there will be a fight in this week's series against the Sox, but it got me thinking. What were the best fights in Royals history? They're all memorable to be sure, but I've selected 5 I'd like to profile, for entertainment's sake. Tracking down stories and pictures from these incidents was harder than I imagined, and I actually had to leave out a classic. Sorry Bob Hamelin.
5. Olivo vs. Carrasco (August 3, 2008)
via www.nwherald.com
There have been numerous fights in Royals history that were better than this one, but finding pictures and stories from more than 5 brawls has been tough. The jist of this is that Olivo doesn't like getting pitched inside...on 3 pitches in a row. While the bases WERE loaded, something was up w/ Carrasco. Either he was dangerously erratic or wanted to make a point. Either way, Miguel didn't want any part of it, and the Royals and White Sox emptied the benches, although not much actually HAPPENED. DJ Carrasco half-assedly slapped Olivo on the back of the head as AJ put our boy in a bear hug. Olivo responded w/ an over the top punch to AJ's helmet, sending him tumbling away. Overall, not much action here, but it was entertaining.
4. Mike Sweeney vs. Jeff Weaver (August 10, 2001)
In a very odd series of events, the Royals asked the umpires to check Jeff Weaver's rosin bag twice for foreign substances. In addition, Sweeney had gotten upset that Weaver would not move his Rosin bag out of sight onto the back of the mound. From all accounts, Weaver thought Sweeney was whining and told him such. The home plate umpire tried to calm down Weaver to diffuse the situation. Weaver turned to face the outfield as the umpire walked back to home plate, but Sweeney was already on his way to the mound. He dodged the umpire and hurled his helmet at a stunned Weaver. He then tackled the less talented Weaver brother, and a massive brawl ensued. Coaches were shoving each other; punches were thrown. And just when you thought it was over, Rob Fick (yeah, throwback name there) attempted a cheap shot at Sweeney, which missed and only further escalated the fight. Not a bad effort for a truly good guy. Nice work Sweeney. Weaver is still a dick.
3. George Brett vs. Graig Nettles (1977 ALCS Game 5, October 10th, Kansas City)
The Royals-Yankees rivalry was just getting started in 1977, the famous summer where the Bronx burned and baseball's best team, your Kansas City Royals, choked in the bright lights of October. With the series tied at 2-2, ready for a decisive game 5, the game got off to a bang. George Brett tripled in a run in the bottom of the 1st inning and slid into third baseman Graig Nettles. This is where the details get fuzzy. Brett claims he was kicked in the face by Nettles, which is why he popped up and punched Nettles away. Nettles claims the kick never occurred and that he was sucker-punched Details be damned, the benches emptied around 3rd Base at Royals Stadium in one of the most interesting fights in post-season history. Brett was not ejected (suck it Yankees).
2. Royals vs. Tigers (July 17, 2005)
This is one of the funnier fights I'll ever remember. It began in the first inning, as Runelvys Hernandez hit 2 of the first 3 Detroit hitters he faced (he claimed he was rusty after a 9 day break, presumably to eat as much possible). In the 2nd, Tigers starter Mike Maroth nailed David DeJesus with a flaming 85mph fastball. Benches were warned. In the 6th inning Runelvys Hernandez bounced a breaking ball at the feet of Tigers SS Carlos Guillen, who tried to fool the home plate umpire and walk to first base as if he had been hit. The home plate umpire was not fooled, and neither was Hernandez as he mouthed something to Guillen as he headed back to the box. The next pitch could have killed Carlos Guillen, but instead it bounced harmlessly off his helmet at 90mph. Mayhem. Guillen charged Hernandez, punches were thrown from many players in the brawl. Alan Trammel and other Tigers coaches were furious. As the bullpens emptied, Tigers basebrawl hall of famer Kyle Farnsworth picked a target coming out of the Royals bullpen. Like Ray Lewis in his prime, Farnsworth charged at the blistered Jeremy Affeldt, picked him up, and form tackled him to the ground. After all had cleared Hernandez, Buddy Bell, Alberto Castillo, Emil Brown, Carlos Guillen, Kyle Farnsworth, and Jeremy Bonderman were ejected.
1. The Royals vs. two drunk Chicago bums (September 21, 2002)
Before Ozzie Guillen, before AJ Pierzynski, and even before DJ Carrasco blessed the Royals organization, there was this unforgettable event. In an act of brutality and terrible drunken creativity, a shirtless father-son duo of White Sox fans came out of the stands to attack resident octogenarian/Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa. The two punched and kicked Gamboa to the ground until the Royals arrived on the scene (the Sox players stood and watched). The Royals erupted out of the dugout swinging. Neifi Perez and Brandon Berger pelted these bums with fists as others kicked and clawed to get their hands on the attackers. Gamboa was bloodied in the event and was taken to a hospital. The father and son were held in jail on $200,000 bail. This why we hate you South Siders. Gutless. Classless. Exactly the kind of people who embrace AJ Pierzynski and Ozzie Guillen.
What will happen this week? Ozzie has some interesting comments and Trey says nothing will happen. Will this list need updating? I don't think so, but it's all in fun anyway.
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felix martinez is pissed.
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Aug 11, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and you left out the fact that berger was punching one of the chicago thugs....
with a baseball
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Aug 11, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great Post
I would have included Aaron Guiel force feeding a baseball to the crazy southsider who thought it would be a good idea to attack umpire Laz Diaz. And that was after the Gamboa episode.
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
by Safe@First on Aug 11, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that was good as well
i’m less sympathetic towards trained-fighters/umpires than i am to old first base coaches. either way….sox fans are nuts.
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Aug 11, 2008 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guillen's emotional but also cagey, so...
...nothing will happen in the upcoming series. He’ll let memories die down, then nail us in the next series or early next year. Ballplayers and managers have l-o-n-g memories.
The Gamboa recap reminded me of how senseless and gutless that whole thing was. It was a low-point in pre-WS-win Sox history. Wow. – TL
by timlacy on Aug 11, 2008 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My favorite fight was one that I witnessed...
It was quite a few years ago, but we were playing the rival Cardinals. I think I was like 8 or 10 years old. Anyhow, the Royals hit a Grand Slam, the Cardinals brought in a reliever, and they plunked Johnny Damon, who courageously charged the mound. I’m sure some of you older folk remember it. I don’t really remember the details (as I said, I was a little guy), but I do remember feverishly twisting my disposable camera so that I could snap some more pictures. I used all 30 pictures on the fight alone. For the next few years, I thought it was commonplace for a fight to happen whenever I went to the ball games, and I was disappointed when there was no fight. I just figured that a fight including both the Cardinals and Johnny Damon was worthy of revisiting.
by RoyalFlush on Aug 11, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i always have been fond of the one where brian mcrae charged the opponents dugout...
and then three-fourths of the way there he came to the realization it probably wasnt a good idea. good times!
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Aug 11, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
IIRC
Neither of the shirtless duo did any jail time other than the night they served. Ridiculous.
Also David Letterman’s “Shirtless Father/Son Yahoos” Halloween costume that year was awesome.
by suzzer on Aug 11, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great stuff
I’d put the aforementioned Felix Martinez sucker punch and Brian McRae going after Bobby Valentine on there though.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Aug 12, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How about Royals-Rangers in 1977?
I remember watching this one. Brutal. The fight in the 4th inning went on for 25 MINUTES!!!!
Kansas City Royals 6, Texas Rangers 5
Day
Game Played on Saturday, May 7, 1977 (N) at Arlington Stadium
KC A 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 1 – 6 8 1
TEX A 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 – 5 11 1
BATTING
Kansas City Royals AB R H RBI BB SO PO A
Brett 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 3
Heise 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
McRae dh 5 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Poquette lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Zdeb ph,lf 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Mayberry 1b 4 0 0 0 1 2 10 0
Otis cf 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Porter c 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Wathan c 3 1 1 0 0 1 5 0
Cowens rf 4 2 2 1 0 0 2 0
Patek ss 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 3
Rojas 2b 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1
White 2b 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1
Leonard p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Hall p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Littell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 36 6 8 5 3 4 30 11
FIELDING –
DP: 1. Rojas-Patek-Mayberry.
E: Brett (4).
BATTING –
2B: Rojas (2,off Perry).
HR: Otis (5,6th inning off Perry 0 on 1 out); Cowens (5,6th inning off Perry
0 on 2 out).
SF: Rojas (1,off Perry); Zdeb (1,off Knowles).
Team LOB: 5.
BASERUNNING –
CS: Brett (3,2nd base by Perry/Sundberg).
Texas Rangers AB R H RBI BB SO PO A
Washington lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
May ph,lf 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 0
Campaneris ss 4 1 2 0 1 0 3 3
Hargrove 1b 4 1 2 2 1 2 13 0
Horton dh 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Howell ph,dh 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Henderson rf 5 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
Harrah 3b 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 4
Wills 2b 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1
Alomar 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Sundberg c 4 1 1 1 0 0 4 1
Beniquez cf 4 1 2 1 0 0 4 0
Perry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Knowles p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 39 5 11 5 5 9 30 12
FIELDING –
E: Perry (1).
BATTING –
2B: Harrah (4,off Leonard); Alomar (1,off Littell).
3B: Beniquez (1,off Leonard).
HR: Hargrove (2,9th inning off Hall 1 on 2 out).
SH: Beniquez (2,off Leonard); Sundberg (3,off Leonard).
Team LOB: 11.
BASERUNNING –
SB: Beniquez (3,2nd base off Leonard/Wathan).
CS: Wills (3,Home by Leonard/Porter).
PITCHING
Kansas City Royals IP H R ER BB SO HR
Leonard 8.2 8 4 4 4 7 0
Hall 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
Littell W(3-1) 1.1 2 0 0 0 2 0
Totals 10 11 5 5 5 9 1
WP: Leonard (1).
Texas Rangers IP H R ER BB SO HR
Perry 9 7 5 2 1 3 2
Devine L(1-1) 0.1 1 1 1 1 1 0
Knowles 0.2 0 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 10 8 6 3 3 4 2
Umpires: HP – Durwood Merrill, 1B – Don Denkinger, 2B – Dave Phillips, 3B – Larry McCoy
Time of Game: 3:29 Attendance: 22166
Starting Lineups:
Kansas City Royals Texas Rangers
1. Brett 3b Washington lf
2. McRae dh Campaneris ss
3. Poquette lf Hargrove 1b
4. Mayberry 1b Horton dh
5. Otis cf Henderson rf
6. Porter c Harrah 3b
7. Cowens rf Wills 2b
8. Patek ss Sundberg c
9. Rojas 2b Beniquez cf
Leonard p Perry p
ROYALS 1ST: Brett grounded out (second to first); McRae flied
out to right; Poquette grounded out (first unassisted); 0 R, 0
H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
RANGERS 1ST: Washington was called out on strikes; Campaneris
grounded out (third to first); Hargrove struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0
E, 0 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
ROYALS 2ND: Mayberry struck out; Otis grounded out (third to
first); Porter grounded out (pitcher to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
RANGERS 2ND: Horton walked; Henderson flied out to right; Harrah
flied out to left; Wills was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H, 0
E, 1 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
ROYALS 3RD: Cowens popped to shortstop; Patek flied out to
center; Rojas doubled to left; Brett walked; McRae flied to
right in foul territory; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Royals 0,
Rangers 0.
RANGERS 3RD: Sundberg singled to shortstop; Beniquez out on a
sacrifice bunt (pitcher to first) [Sundberg to second];
Washington reached on a fielder’s choice [Sundberg to third
(error by Brett), Washington to second]; Campaneris walked;
Hargrove struck out; Horton was called out on strikes; 0 R, 1 H,
1 E, 3 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
ROYALS 4TH: Poquette popped to shortstop; Mayberry grounded out
(third to first); Otis grounded out (third to first); 0 R, 0 H,
0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 0.
RANGERS 4TH: Henderson flied out to left; Harrah doubled to
left; Wills walked; Leonard threw a wild pitch [Harrah to third,
Wills to second]; Sundberg reached on a fielder’s choice on a
sacrifice bunt [Harrah scored, Wills to third]; Wills was caught
stealing home (catcher to third) [Sundberg to second]; Fight
— 25 minutes — Porter, LaCock, Corrales, Luchesi, Wills,
Horton, Washington tossed; WATHAN REPLACED PORTER (PLAYING C
); Beniquez singled to center [Sundberg scored]; MAY BATTED FOR
WASHINGTON; Beniquez stole second; May grounded out (first
unassisted); 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Royals 0, Rangers 2.
ROYALS 5TH: MAY STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING LF); ALOMAR REPLACED
WILLS (PLAYING 2B); Wathan singled to center; Cowens singled to
right [Wathan to second]; Patek reached on a fielder’s choice
[Wathan scored (error by Perry) (unearned) (no RBI), Cowens to
third, Patek to second]; Rojas hit a sacrifice fly to center
[Cowens scored (unearned), Patek to third]; Brett grounded out
(shortstop to first); McRae singled to center [Patek scored
(unearned)]; Poquette grounded out (second to first); 3 R (0
ER), 3 H, 1 E, 1 LOB. Royals 3, Rangers 2.
RANGERS 5TH: Campaneris singled to third; Hargrove walked
[Campaneris to second]; HOWELL BATTED FOR HORTON; Howell struck
out; Henderson grounded into a double play (second to shortstop
to first) [Hargrove out at second]; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.
Royals 3, Rangers 2.
ROYALS 6TH: HOWELL STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING DH); Mayberry
grounded out (second to first); Otis homered; Wathan grounded
out (third to first); Cowens homered; Patek flied out to left; 2
R, 2 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
RANGERS 6TH: Harrah flied out to left; Alomar popped to third in
foul territory; Sundberg popped to catcher in foul territory; 0
R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
ROYALS 7TH: Rojas flied out to left; Brett singled to center;
Brett was caught stealing second (catcher to shortstop); McRae
flied out to right; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
RANGERS 7TH: WHITE REPLACED ROJAS (PLAYING 2B); Beniquez
grounded out (pitcher to first); May singled to first;
Campaneris forced May (third to second); Hargrove singled to
right [Campaneris to third]; Howell lined to right; 0 R, 2 H, 0
E, 2 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
ROYALS 8TH: Poquette grounded out (first unassisted); Mayberry
struck out; Otis grounded out (shortstop to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0
E, 0 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
RANGERS 8TH: Henderson struck out; Harrah grounded out (third to
first); Alomar grounded out (first unassisted); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
ROYALS 9TH: Wathan struck out; Cowens flied out to center; Patek
flied out to right; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Royals 5, Rangers 2.
RANGERS 9TH: HEISE REPLACED BRETT (PLAYING 3B); Sundberg
grounded out (shortstop to first); Beniquez tripled to right;
May grounded out (second to first) [Beniquez scored]; Campaneris
singled to first; HALL REPLACED LEONARD (PITCHING); Hargrove
homered [Campaneris scored]; Howell walked; LITTELL REPLACED
HALL (PITCHING); Henderson struck out; 3 R, 3 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.
Royals 5, Rangers 5.
ROYALS 10TH: DEVINE REPLACED PERRY (PITCHING); White walked;
Heise was called out on strikes; McRae singled to left [White to
third, McRae to second (on throw to 3b)]; KNOWLES REPLACED
DEVINE (PITCHING); ZDEB BATTED FOR POQUETTE; Zdeb hit a
sacrifice fly to center [White scored]; Mayberry walked; Otis
grounded out (shortstop to first); 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Royals
6, Rangers 5.
RANGERS 10TH: ZDEB STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING LF); Harrah singled
to center; Alomar doubled to right [Harrah to third]; Sundberg
grounded out (shortstop to first); Beniquez reached on a
fielder’s choice [Harrah out at third (pitcher unassisted)]; May
struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Royals 6, Rangers 5.
Final Totals R H E LOB
Royals 6 8 1 5
Rangers 5 11 1 11
Read Me
by RoyalsFan on Aug 23, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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