José Ramírez and Tim Anderson came to blows after their teams, Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox, clashed in a heated game on Saturday.
Ramírez slipped past Anderson in the second base after a close 5-1 victory for the White Sox. Ramírez made a slick move, evading Anderson’s tag and scoring the second base, but the umpires called him out after Anderson’s second attempt to tag him.
Anderson looked back at Ramírez, seeming to ask if he needed help getting up. Ramírez declined the offer, and when both players regained their balance, they were ready to square off.
The benches cleared as coaches and trainers rushed onto the field to break up the altercation between Ramírez and Anderson.
“He said he wanted to fight, and I need to protect myself,” Ramírez said after Cleveland’s 7-4 loss.
Both managers – Terry Francona of Cleveland and Pedro Grifol of Chicago – were also ejected, as were Guardians’ third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh and relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase.
“It’s not fun, but it happens in baseball,” Francona said after the loss.
Francona told reporters that he didn’t know the reason for the fight, but he mentioned that it might be due to an incident involving Anderson and the Guardians’ catcher Gabriel Arias earlier in the game.
Ramírez and Anderson may face suspensions, and other participants might face penalties as well. The league will review the incident on Sunday afternoon.
Francona was frustrated with how Anderson’s disrespect and lack of regard led to the incident. On Friday night, Anderson slid into second base, colliding with the Guardians’ Rocky Brien, leading to a heated exchange.
Grifol had nothing to say about the white incident.
“Many people are upset,” he said.”I’m glad I haven’t heard anything from the trainers’ room.” I won’t comment on this. I’ll let MLB handle it. They have work to do.”
Anderson, who was pulled to the dugout by his teammates and had to be restrained as he tried to re-enter the skirmish, eventually returned to the scrum before talking with reporters.
“We like the intensity,” White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus said.”We always support and stand by him.”. He plays with passion and gives 100% on the field. These things happen.”
