Sport’s Biggest Brawls (part 2)

After going through some of the sport’s biggest brawls in part 1, we continue to look at other incredible events.

The New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets had a game in Madison Square Garden in New York. Once again right before the end of the game, one player gave another a flagrant foul. Other players joined the confrontation. Although the fight went into the stands, all ten players on the floor on both teams were ejected from the game. Seven players were suspended for 47 games without pay.

• Rudy Tomjanovic was hit by Kermit Washington and suffered a skull fracture
• Eric Cantona kicked and beat a fan out of anger for being sent off the field
• A Detroit-Colorado NHL playoff game featured nine fights

The fight ended up making US gambling news as the largest in NBA history since the “Malice in the Palace.” Both coaches were under fire for their roles in the incident. Some considered the punishments by the NBA too severe. Others felt that the penalties were “heavy handed” to set an example that violence won’t be tolerated among players. Unfortunately these foolish actions have been repeated by many.

Sport’s biggest brawls that involved basketball and baseball

One rather peculiar incident involved a baseball pitcher and a 72-year old man. In 2003, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox were squaring off. Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez threw a ball at one of the bench coaches for the Yankees after he charged the pitcher. The coach happened to be 72-year old Don Zimmer. This was only one of three incidents that happened in the game. Two other fights occurred that cleared both benches.

In 1977, at a classic Houston Rockets and LA Lakers game, a routine altercation broke out. Knick player Rudy Tomjanovich went onto the court to break up a fight. The thoughtful move proved unsuccessful as Rockets player Kermit Washington delivered a roundhouse punch to Tomjanovich’s face. The Knick laid unconscious on the floor as people from press box rushed to his aid. Washington claimed he made a ”misjudgment.”

Regardless, the victim suffered a dislocated skull with spinal fluid leaking from his brain. Washington was fined USD 10,000 and suspended for 60 days. Tomjanovich went into a bout of depression and alcoholism, but eventually managed to turn around his life. While he became the coach for Houston winning two championships, Washington, who definitely wouldn’t have been among the most underpaid NBA players in 2015, had a below average career and never could get a coaching position.

Sometimes sport’s biggest brawls can’t be avoided. Texas Rangers manager Buck Showalter knew his team normally had problems at the Oakland Coliseum and requested extra security. Any punter would’ve laid money on during of this game using mobile betting if it were possible. Needless to say, when Texas relief pitcher Frank Francisco heard racial slurs he charged the stands and ended up hitting a man and throwing a chair at his wife. The woman had a broken nose and Francisco was arrested for assault.

Not even association football can escape sport’s biggest brawls

One of the most peculiar altercations occurred in 1994 at the Crystal Palace during a Manchester United match. Red Devils’ player Eric Cantona went into the stands and proceeded to kick and hit a fan. The “kung fu style kick” was delivered without any reason. Prior to the kick, Cantona was sent off the field for a bad tackle. At the press conference, the Manchester United and French legend made a cryptic statement and left.

There are also times when coaches can’t avoid being involved in sport’s biggest brawls. In 1998, Miami Heat and New York Knicks had a playoff series. In game five, Miami center Alonzo Mourning and Knicks guard Larry Johnson started to become physical. Both sides charged the court as a result. The most memorable part of this incident was Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy holding unto Mourning’s leg as he was dragged throughout the court.

Hockey is a sport that traditionally features fighting between players. One notable brawl involved the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. The altercation was part of a grudge that happened in the previous season when Claude Lemeiux pushed Kris Draper into a wall. This time nothing short of a war occurred between the two teams. Nine bloody fights ensued that night.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lbjFBMKcNY4

The single largest brawl occurred when Igor Larionov and Pete Forsberg collided with each other. As a result, Danny McCarthy threw many combinations of punches, kicks and knees at Lemieux. This particular fight became a group effort which even included the goaltenders. Although that night affected many players, McCarthy and Lemieux received the worst punishment. I’m sure the betting line for online sportsbooks in Canada was forever changed after that incident.