Fansided

Top 20 MLB brawls of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) and Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in a fight after Harper was hit by the pitch of Strickland during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) and Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in a fight after Harper was hit by the pitch of Strickland during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 31: Former President of the United States, George W. Bush (L), and his father Former President George H.W. Bush wave to the crowd with Rangers’ President Nolan Ryan (C) before the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matt Campbell-Pool/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 31: Former President of the United States, George W. Bush (L), and his father Former President George H.W. Bush wave to the crowd with Rangers’ President Nolan Ryan (C) before the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matt Campbell-Pool/Getty Images) /

8. Robin Ventura vs. Nolan Ryan, August 4, 1993

The Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox had been in a back-and-forth beanball war for several years when things finally bubbled over late in the 1993 season. Robin Ventura was one of the most promising young third basemen in the league and already had two Gold Gloves before his age-25 season. Nolan Ryan, of course, needs no introduction.

Ventura had picked up an RBI single off Ryan in the first inning. Ryan took exception with the White Sox third baseman for some reason (or maybe he was just trying to push him off the plate) and hit him in the arm with a fastball. Ventura immediately charged the mound, and probably regretted it after about five seconds.

Ryan grabbed Ventura into a headlock and just went to town raining down blows on his head. The 20-year age differential did not matter much here, as the 46-year-old Ryan delivered a good ol’ fashioned butt whupping.

This was really an interesting brawl to pick apart. Despite landing most of the punches, Ryan was not ejected. Ventura, on the other hand, suffered the embarrassment of being beaten by a man who could be his father, was ejected. Ryan then picked off the runner that replaced Ventura at first base. George W. Bush (yes, the President) owned the Rangers at the time and almost decided to storm the field during the brawl, but decided not to because Bo Jackson played for the White Sox.

Ryan only pitched 66.1 innings in 1993, but he went seven on this night and got the win. Ventura may have been onto something when he charged the mound. He was the only batter Ryan hit all year.

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