Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB: Chan Ho Park thought he was at karate practice

By James Simmons

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park (R) kicks Anaheim Angels pitcher Tim Belcher during their brawl in the fifth inning of their 05 June 1999 game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Belcher tagged out Park at first when Park attempted a sacrifice bunt. The two then exchanged words and then Park kicked Belcher. The benches cleared and Park was ejected from the game for the kick, but Belcher was allowed to remain. The Dodgers won by a score of 7-4. At left is Angels first baseman Mo Vaughn. AFP PHOTO/Scott NELSON (Photo by SCOTT NELSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read SCOTT NELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park (R) kicks Anaheim Angels pitcher Tim Belcher during their brawl in the fifth inning of their 05 June 1999 game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Belcher tagged out Park at first when Park attempted a sacrifice bunt. The two then exchanged words and then Park kicked Belcher. The benches cleared and Park was ejected from the game for the kick, but Belcher was allowed to remain. The Dodgers won by a score of 7-4. At left is Angels first baseman Mo Vaughn. AFP PHOTO/Scott NELSON (Photo by SCOTT NELSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read SCOTT NELSON/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chan Ho Park was not having any of Tim Belcher’s hug tag, nor his being told to get back to the dugout, so he jump-kicks the man.

I miss baseball the way it was played in the year 1999. There was no instant reply, so managers had an excuse to throw bases, kick dirt, and drop-kick their hats. Maybe I just miss Lou Pinella. Seems like back then pitchers here throwing high and tight and Chan Ho Park was drop-kicking people.

Wait, what!?

More from Call to the Pen

You remember Chan Ho Park right? Well, there was this one day in June of ’99 when he took exception to something Tim Belcher did. Belcher was pitching for the Anaheim Angels and Park was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the two teams met up for an early summer soirée.

The two pitchers didn’t engage in a hit-batter retaliation sequence, no, that would be too in line with the unwritten rules of baseball. This dust-up comes from a sacrifice bunt turned wrong. Well, the bunt was a good one, a textbook, in fact, nothing wrong there.

Park pushed the sacrifice up the first baseline and Belcher hopped off the mound to field it. The pitcher had plenty of time to turn and wheel to first for the out. Belcher chose to tag Park as he ran down the line. Great, slap him on the leg with the ball in glove and get off the line.

No, Belcher had to make it difficult. He puts the ball in his bare hand to tag Park, but in doing so impedes his path to first base then wraps an arm around Park. Park takes exception, so Belcher tells him to get back to the dugout.

It’s at this moment that Park makes the decision he’s going roll out the spin kick ala Rougned Odor‘s two-step plan to get at Jose Bautista.

Next. Robbie Ray trade not outside possibilities. dark

In theory, it was a good idea, in execution it lacked a little. Park created the separation but Belcher closed the gap quickly and Park half-heartedly whirled around to kick. Then the scrum was on. The kick heard wrong the world cost Park seven games and $3,000, and a hearing to get his black belt revoked.

Home/MLB News