4 Apr 2000: Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning of the home opener for the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 2: The crowd at Boston City Hall Plaza cheers as the duck boats make their way down Tremont Street during the World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on November 2, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images) /
So imagine you’re out one night and maybe had a few soda pops. Some guy across the bar starts jawing at ya and things escalate. But you’re not alone in the fight. You, my friend, have a member of the Red Sox by your side. Let’s take a look at the top five players to have by your side in a fight!
Baseball may not be known for its fights but when they do em, they do em right. The Red Sox have had a few dust-ups in the past, mostly with the Yankees, but there are a few others in there. So I went back and looked at some of the bench-clearing fights in the history of the team and did some scouting.
You gotta have someone with fearlessness. They have to jump in no matter the size of the opponent. They gotta be able to take a punch and dish it out just as well. And finally, there’s gotta be trust. No questioning why this fight is happening, they’re just ready to throw down.
The team I’ve put together here meet all these requirements for me and I’d feel really good about getting into a brawl with them by my side.
With that all said, let’s get to the list!
Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly was an instant choice for me. He checks all the boxes on my criteria and I’d love to have him by my side. In an early season game against the Yankees, there was a questionable slide into Brock Holt by Tyler Austin.
The moment the slide was complete Holt got right into the face of Austin. The benches would empty and the rivalry was in full swing for 2018.
Later on, Kelly would plunk Tyler Austin in retaliation. This would set off a powder keg and a wild brawl would ensue. Austin instantly threw his bat down and Joe Kelly waved him on. Like a bull seeing red, Austin charged.
Kelly didn’t fully connect with anyone but that’s ok, every group needs that tornado friend that just goes in swinging.
If you look at your group of friends you can probably find someone like Joe Kelly. Doesn’t matter what you’re doing, where you’re going, or really what any detail is. They’re in.
They’re the wildcard and that is Joe Kelly to perfection. No matter what the situation he wants to be in the middle of the action and won’t flinch.
With his retaliation on Austin and the brawl that followed, the Joe Kelly Fight Club was born that night.
David Ortiz
The spiritual Mayor of Boston and the heart and soul of the franchise through much of the last two decades. David Ortiz is the ultimate guy to have by your side if you need to throw some fisticuffs. In a game back in 2011 against the Orioles, he was thrown at inside three straight times. This led to Big Papi having some words with pitcher Kevin Gregg.
Gregg would throw another ball to complete the walk and Ortiz made it maybe two feet out of the batter’s box before charging the mound. The two would begin swinging and the benches would empty. Papi has never been afraid to let his voice be heard or step up to someone who he thinks might need an attitude adjustment.
Ortiz is the gentle giant of your group of friends. The quiet one that nobody ever expects to raise their voice or get angry. Then that perfect storm hits and the fuse is lit. Now it’s just a matter of time before the big man is gonna blow. Just like in the brawl with Gregg and the Orioles.
One close pitch, it happens. Two close pitches, ok. A third? Now I’m mad. You have the grapefruits to try it a fourth time and I’m gonna get ya. Papi may be one of the happiest and most fun-loving people there is in baseball, but don’t test the big man.
Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek is the former captain of the Red Sox and spent his entire 15-year career in the center of the rivalry. This epic brawl comes from the 2004 season and it memorable for several reasons. The Red Sox were months away from winning their first World Series in 86 years and they were facing their heated rival, the Yankees. That right there are all the ingredients you need for a combustible situation.
This wasn’t the first brawl between these two and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last but this one felt different. This felt almost like a momentum shift between the two. For so many years the Red Sox felt like the little brother to the Yankees.
This was like the little brother finally having enough and popping big bro right in the mouth. Varitek makes this list for his heart and love of his team. He didn’t hesitate to jump into the action and protect his pitcher and teammates.
During the game, Alex Rodriguez got hit by Bronson Arroyo. Let the fireworks begin! A-Rod started jawing at Arroyo and made moves towards the mound. Varitek got between his pitcher and Rodriguez, things escalated and Varitek would crack A-Rod in the face with his glove.
Benches emptied and one of the best brawls I’ve seen began. Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira would come out of the fray with some blood. The sides finally parted and Varitek etched another spot for himself in Red Sox lore.
I have a picture of Varitek clocking A-Rod framed on my office wall. It’s so beautiful.
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis earned his spot in Red Sox history with his hard play day in and day out. Youk was dubbed the “Greek God of Walks,” which is funny because he isn’t Greek! But as much as he was known for his ability to grind out at-bats, he was also known for his competitive spirit and temper. If you got Youkilis hot, you would know about it.
In the clip above we see Youk get hit by future Red Sox ace, Rick Porcello. Kevin didn’t waste a single damn second before he charged the mound. Racing towards Porcello he first throws his helmet and then goes to wrap up the pitcher. Unfortunately, Youk tackles about as well as Rob Gronkowski and gets tossed to the ground.
Maybe not the best performance by Youk here but the fearlessness he showed earns him his spot. He went full speed at Porcello ready to throw down. And much like that friend of yours who has watched one too many UFC events, he unsuccessfully tries something he’s seen. If I were Kevin here I would’ve gone a bit lower on Rick and taken out his legs. A good old-fashioned spear for the ages!
Youk will forever be in the hearts and souls of Red Sox fans the world over. Not only for his great play but for his competitiveness and fighting spirit.
Pedro Martinez
Here it is my friends, the #1 draft pick in the friend pool. Pedro Martinez is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Red Sox uniform. And he also holds the distinct honor of having one of the greatest Red Sox brawl moments EVER. You know the one I’m talking about and I bet you have fond memories of it as well.
During 2003 the Red Sox and Yankees would meet in the ALCS. That’s all I’m gonna say about that because we all know how it ended. Damn that Aaron Boone! But the tempers were boiling over and a guy who knows this rivalry all too well was on the mound, Roger Clemens.
Earlier in the game, Pedro had a pitch get away and go near the head of Karim Garcia. This set what Clemens would do into motion. Pedro being who he is made it very clear to Garcia that if he wanted to hit him in the head he would’ve.
The Rocket would then throw a ball at the head of Manny Ramirez and it was pretty clear he was sending a message. This sent Ramirez into a rage and he charged the mound. Big Papi was able to restrain Manny for the time being until he had to go get Pedro.
Out of nowhere, 72-year-old Don Zimmer charged at Pedro and Martinez would throw the former Red Sox player to the ground. In a moment that is etched into baseball history, Martinez threw a senior citizen. I don’t think it’s ever been explained why Zimmer went after Martinez but knowing the rivalry, I don’t think there needs to be one.
That’s why Pedro is on my team, he doesn’t give a damn who he’s gotta fight, he’s here to win.
BOSTON, MA – April 11: Tyler Austin #26 of the New York Yankees fights Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox after being struck by a pitch Kelly threw during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on April 11, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
When I set out to do this list I had zero intention to include so many Yankee fights but that’s just how it works sometimes. I also wanted to span a larger time frame but it turns out we’ve had some awesome brawls the last decade or so.
Are there more suitable choices in the history of the Red Sox? Sure. But I feel for what I’m looking for in my bar room brawl squad, these guys meet the requirements. This gang is my baseball version of the Avengers. No matter the task or size of the fight, they band together for their teammates.
Now I do have some honorable mentions as we have had some heavyweights in our ranks over the years. I thought of adding Manny to the list but his biggest involvement led to the legendary Pedro moment. Jonathan Papelbon could’ve also been on the list just for the fact he is the epitome of a wildman. But ultimately I feel the group I’ve gathered would get the job done.
Former Red Sox pitcher elected to Hall of Fame. dark. Next
The Red Sox have been involved in some seriously awesome brawls and I’m sure there will be plenty more down the road. With the baseball season spanning over the hottest season of the year, tempers will flare just like the weather. Who will join the ranks of these chosen heroes of baseball brawls next?
