Tempers flare after Martinez hits Garcia

By Jimmy Golen, Associated Press, 10/11/2003

BOSTON -- Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez threw 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground during a bench-clearing melee that interrupted Game 3 of the AL championship series Saturday.

The bizarre scene added even more intensity to baseball's most bitter rivalry.

The fight began after Martinez threw behind Karim Garcia's head in the top of the fourth inning, and Roger Clemens later threw a pitch up and in to Manny Ramirez.

Garcia had to duck to get out of the way of Martinez's pitch, and plate umpire Alfonso Marquez ruled the ball hit him in the back, awarding him first base.

Zimmer, the former Boston manager, Garcia and other Yankees all yelled at Martinez. Marquez then warned both teams about throwing inside.

In the bottom half of the inning, Clemens threw high and slightly inside to Ramirez, and the Boston slugger shouted at the pitcher while raising his bat.

Both benches cleared, and Zimmer headed for Martinez and lunged at him. Martinez sidestepped him, grabbed him by the head with both hands and tossed him to the ground. Zimmer landed face down and rolled over on his back.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes, but nobody was ejected. Beer stands at Fenway Park were shut down for the remainder of the game.

Martinez's pitch to Garcia came after Hideki Matsui's RBI double broke a 2-2 tie. Alfonso Soriano then hit a double-play grounder to shortstop, and Garcia slid hard past second base, knocking down second baseman Todd Walker. The two began shoving each other, and both teams slowly came out of the dugouts, yelling.

The field was cleared, and Enrique Wilson popped out to end the inning.

Two umpires pulled Clemens aside as he went to the mound for the bottom of the inning. Ramirez led off and yelled at Clemens after the high 1-2 pitch, walking toward the mound still holding his bat.

That brought both teams running onto the field and out of the bullpens.

Skirmishes broke out around the diamond, the most notable between Martinez and Zimmer. After the fight, Zimmer remained on the ground and Yankees trainer Gene Monahan treated the coach for what appeared to be a cut on his head.

Sitting in the dugout, Zimmer had a small bandage on the bridge of his nose. Later, he was smiling and laughing.

After play resumed, Ramirez struck out on the next pitch.

Zimmer, who has been in professional baseball for 54 years, was the Red Sox manager in 1978 when they lost to the Yankees in a one-game playoff for the AL East title, the game that featured Bucky Dent's famous home run.

Zimmer has a plate in his head, the result of a 1953 beaning.

Martinez and Clemens both have reputations as headhunters.

The Boston ace picked up the tag as a young pitcher in the National League, before he developed his pinpoint control.

Clemens has always thrown inside. His most infamous beaning was when he hit Mike Piazza in the head in 2000 and later tossed a broken bat toward him in the World Series that season.

The Yankees were angry at Martinez this summer. He hit Soriano and Derek Jeter with pitches on July 7, two days after Clemens hit Boston's Kevin Millar. Both pitchers denied they did it intentionally, with Clemens saying: "Guys don't get out of the way of the ball anymore."

Clemens doesn't appreciate the way batters come to the plate these days with protective gear.

"Some of these guys are wearing stuff now that, I mean, they'd feel safe in Iraq," he said Friday.


Home > Sports > Baseball > Red Sox Tempers flare after Martinez hits Garcia By Jimmy Golen, Associated Press, 10/11/2003 BOSTON -- Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez threw 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground during a bench-clearing melee that interrupted Game 3 of the AL championship series Saturday. The bizarre scene added even more intensity to baseball's most bitter rivalry. The fight began after Martinez threw behind Karim Garcia's head in the top of the fourth inning, and Roger Clemens later threw a pitch up and in to Manny Ramirez. Garcia had to duck to get out of the way of Martinez's pitch, and plate umpire Alfonso Marquez ruled the ball hit him in the back, awarding him first base. Zimmer, the former Boston manager, Garcia and other Yankees all yelled at Martinez. Marquez then warned both teams about throwing inside. In the bottom half of the inning, Clemens threw high and slightly inside to Ramirez, and the Boston slugger shouted at the pitcher while raising his bat. Both benches cleared, and Zimmer headed for Martinez and lunged at him. Martinez sidestepped him, grabbed him by the head with both hands and tossed him to the ground. Zimmer landed face down and rolled over on his back. The game was delayed for 10 minutes, but nobody was ejected. Beer stands at Fenway Park were shut down for the remainder of the game. Martinez's pitch to Garcia came after Hideki Matsui's RBI double broke a 2-2 tie. Alfonso Soriano then hit a double-play grounder to shortstop, and Garcia slid hard past second base, knocking down second baseman Todd Walker. The two began shoving each other, and both teams slowly came out of the dugouts, yelling. The field was cleared, and Enrique Wilson popped out to end the inning. Two umpires pulled Clemens aside as he went to the mound for the bottom of the inning. Ramirez led off and yelled at Clemens after the high 1-2 pitch, walking toward the mound still holding his bat. That brought both teams running onto the field and out of the bullpens. Skirmishes broke out around the diamond, the most notable between Martinez and Zimmer. After the fight, Zimmer remained on the ground and Yankees trainer Gene Monahan treated the coach for what appeared to be a cut on his head. Sitting in the dugout, Zimmer had a small bandage on the bridge of his nose. Later, he was smiling and laughing. After play resumed, Ramirez struck out on the next pitch. Zimmer, who has been in professional baseball for 54 years, was the Red Sox manager in 1978 when they lost to the Yankees in a one-game playoff for the AL East title, the game that featured Bucky Dent's famous home run. Zimmer has a plate in his head, the result of a 1953 beaning. Martinez and Clemens both have reputations as headhunters. The Boston ace picked up the tag as a young pitcher in the National League, before he developed his pinpoint control. Clemens has always thrown inside. His most infamous beaning was when he hit Mike Piazza in the head in 2000 and later tossed a broken bat toward him in the World Series that season. The Yankees were angry at Martinez this summer. He hit Soriano and Derek Jeter with pitches on July 7, two days after Clemens hit Boston's Kevin Millar. Both pitchers denied they did it intentionally, with Clemens saying: "Guys don't get out of the way of the ball anymore." Clemens doesn't appreciate the way batters come to the plate these days with protective gear. "Some of these guys are wearing stuff now that, I mean, they'd feel safe in Iraq," he said Friday.