My Top 5 Atlanta Braves Brawls and Ejections of All-Time
By Jeff Schafer
3. Braves vs Reds… Washington vs Soto
June 16, 1984 … Braves and Reds in Fulton County Stadium, Braves Claudell Washington was facing Mario Soto in the 5th inning.
Washington led off the game with a home run off Soto. In his second trip to the plate, Washington was knocked down by Soto with a pitch. 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 thought Roger Clemens tossing a broken bat at Mike Piazza was bad … Oh the good ol’ days.