3. 2006 Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox
This brawl between the Cubs and White Sox comes in at number three on the list because of the explosiveness of the situation. In terms of length, it was a short brawl, but the amount of quality punches thrown and landed in the limited amount of time that was given is incredible.
Everything started with a good, hard play by A.J. Pierzynski scoring from third base on a tag-up. Pierzynski railroaded Cubs’ catcher, Michael Barrett and slapped home plate on his way out. Barrett obviously wasn’t happy about getting run over by Pierzynski and it looked like both gentlemen exchanged a few words before the big blow was thrown.
Barrett connected with a hook to Pierzynskis head and it was a good one. This right cross from Barrett is up there with Odor’s shot on Bautista, he got him clean. Following the punch, things started happening very quickly. Scott Podsednick, who was in the on deck circle, tackled the Cubs’ catcher and held him down while others piled on top. About twenty feet to the left, there was another pile up with huge haymakers being thrown by White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson.
"“I got sucker-punched,” Pierzynski said.”He grabbed me and said, ‘I didn’t have the ball’ and then he punched me. … I was trying to pick up my helmet. I tried to take a step around him and he grabbed me. I thought he was going to say ‘Hey, are you OK?’ And I was going to say the same thing. The words came out, I got hit and the next thing I know, all hell broke loose.”"
These were no warning punches by Brian Anderson, he was swinging for the fences with every intention of a knock out. “I really can’t explain my actions. I was getting caught up trying to stick up for my teammate,” Anderson said.
Somehow, the situation was diffused within minutes. Barrett served a ten game suspension for his actions, Anderson served five games, and Pierzynski got fined $2,000.
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