It’s fight night in Cleveland.
Most benches-clearing incidents tend to end without any drama, but Saturday’s fight between the Guardians and White Sox was anything but typical.
Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez and Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson threw punches right on the infield, after Ramirez took exception to Anderson during a play at second base.
Ramirez got up from a head-first slide into second and put his finger in Anderson’s face, after which the latter quickly started jawing with the Guardians All-Star. After the umpire initially tried to separate the pair, he backed out of the way in time for Anderson to square up with Ramirez.
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Punches were just thrown between Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez and then absolute madness broke out in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/Tje1l3wwwv
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 6, 2023
Anderson threw the first punch, but it was Ramirez who ultimately got the better of him, sending the White Sox free-agent-to-be to the ground with a wild shot to the jaw.
Jose Ramirez with a MEAN right hand right to Tim Anderson’s jaw pic.twitter.com/5hZBF8gvJy
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 6, 2023
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol refused to comment on the brawl in postgame remarks, telling reporters, “I’m going to let MLB figure this out. They have some work to do.”
Guardians manager Terry Francona didn’t elaborate much on his thoughts, either, but he took a much more lighthearted approach in his response, laughing off the incident.
Reporter: “What’d you think of José’s left hook?”
Terry Francona correcting him: “Right hook.”
Reporter: “Right hook, right.” pic.twitter.com/ElOJJ5BiYD
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) August 6, 2023
The incident will surely evoke memories of the infamous 2016 battle between Jose Bautista and Rougned Odor, which saw Odor sucker-punch Bautista on the infield. It isn’t uncommon for benches to clear in baseball, but a one-on-one fistfight — and knockout — certainly are.
Suspensions will almost certainly be next for Ramirez and Anderson, who were both ejected. Odor was suspended eight games for his punch in 2016, while Jesse Winker received a seven-game ban for igniting a brawl with the Angels last season.
Punishments for Ramirez and Anderson figure to be announced within the next 24-48 hours.