Atlanta Braves Leaving Fulton County: The Brawlers
Atlanta Braves (and fans) Duke it Out in Grand Fashions
Sometimes, things just get a little too chippy and in a game full of adrenaline and emotion, it’s easy to plunk a guy who just took you yard. Or maybe you feel the need to avenge the fate of another teammate by taking out the shortstop on a double play.
Over the years, some of the most entertaining and greatest fights have occurred on the diamond than in the ring. Many a times has Fulton County or Turner Field played host to such bouts.
Lets look at some of the most memorable of tilts involving our beloved Atlanta Braves and opposition.
San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves: August 1984 AKA, The Brawl
Whenever someone asks what the best Bench-Clearing Brawl was in baseball, the Braves/Padres Clash of 1984 is always pointed to.
It was August 12, 1984. Pitching for the Braves was Pascuel Perez. The Padres had Craig Lefferts on the bump. This brawl did not start with the Lefferts HBP to Perez. It had been materializing the whole day.
In the video clip, you can hear The Professor, Pete Van Wieren, go through the events, and pitchers, that led to the final come-to-blows seen on the video.
What was so crazy about this, was that it wasn’t just one or two guys. It wasn’t just the hitter and pitcher. It was EVERYONE. And yes, even the fans stood up for their players, which is not something I would typically recommend.
The best part for me, was Bob Horner, mountain of a man that he was, arm in a cast, too, bulling up to Champ Summers as he sprinted for Perez who was standing by the dugout.
This good old fashioned brew-ha broke out into about 5 or 6 mini bouts. Through the course of the game, Padres pitchers, manager, acting manager one, then acting manager two were sent to the showers early.
The Battle Royale that was Padres v. Braves will probably always be number one whenever the all-time greatest brawls in baseball are discussed.
I don’t know if I should be embarrassed as baseball fan or proud as a Brave fan, that this fight involved Atlanta.
Claudell Washington vs. Mario Soto; 1984 … Again
Thanks to Grant McAuley, Braves reporter, and friend of Tomahawk Take, for reminding me of this classic.
Check out more from Grant on his Twitter page and give him a follow. He always has great insight and is a pretty funny guy, too.
OK, a little stage setting if you don’t mind.
In a game between the Braves and Reds in Fulton County Stadium, Claudell Washington was facing Mario Soto in the 5th inning.
Washington led the game off with a home run. In Washington’s second trip to the plate, he was flipped by Soto. Then, in the 5th inning, Washington got a strike, swung at the baseball, but “accidentally” lost control of his bat, and it landed close to the first base side of the infield.
Washington knew exactly what he was doing.
Flinging the bat towards second base, gave him a reason to walk out towards the mound. But he never went towards first to retrieve the bat. This my friends, was calculated and premeditated.
Soto had a reputation for being an instigator and agitator. But what made this brawl so special?
Watch Soto closely. Pete Van Wieren picks up on it, but Soto, first tries to punch Washington with ball in hand. Then, as he is being pushed away, fires a Ricky Vaughn heater at him (which misses and hits the Braves 1B coach).
That’s dirty by even today’s standards. You though Roger Clemens tossing a broken bat at Mike Piazza was bad … Oh the good ol’ days.
Braves vs. Phillies … A Memorable Night turns into a Forgettable One
June 4th, 1991 … Dale Murphy night in Atlanta.
On what should have been a pleasing night, full of memories, the Phillies had to go and ruin it.
Dale Murphy was honored this night, in a night that began, if memory serves, in a rain delay. Fans were treated to the return of their hero, Murphy, who now donned a Phillies uniform. It was definitely an awkward sight.
The video is crude at best, but you can still make out what happens. Phillies pitcher, Wally Ritchie, throws at Otis Nixon, Nixon gets perturbed, Nixon charges mound … benches clear. Everyone is involved. Bullpen pitchers come racing in. EVERYONE is partaking, save for one, and you can’t see it in this video.
Dale Murphy.
I remember this game clearly. I was crying like a baby during the pre-game ceremony for Murphy. I remember watching as the fight broke out, and was actively looking for Murphy, to see his usual presence as peace keeper. My admiration for him that night shot through the roof.
Murphy never left his place in left field. On this night, his night, he stayed neutral. He didn’t involve himself. I could only imagine what was going through his head, and heart.
Next: Tomahawk Take Staff's Lead Pipe Locks for the Playoffs
So, there you go, a few of the more memorable moments in professional boxing … err … Atlanta Braves and Fulton County history.
Do you have a favorite or not-so-favorite brawl? Maybe a brawl that didn’t take place in Atlanta, but somewhere else? we’d love to hear it.
And, as always, #ChopOnDamnIt!