Remembering Mets History (1986) George Foster's Grand Slam Ignites a Ray Knight Mets / Dodgers Brawl

Tuesday May 27, 1986: 35,643 showed up at Shea Stadium as Davey Johnson's first place Mets (28-11) hosted Tom Lasorda's fifth place Los Angeles Dodgers (22-23).

The cocky swaggering Mets were on a three-game winning streak. They were settled in at first place, building their lead that stood at 4.5 games ahead of the Montreal Expos. 

Tonight, Met pitcher, Ron Darling was undefeated at that point coming into the game at 5-0. Darling's ERA was up at 4.01 mostly due to a disastrous first start where he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings to the Phillies. Tonight, Darling went up against the Dodgers' Bob Welch (3-3).

In the top of the 1st inning, with one out Darling served up a one out HR to Ken Landreaux, giving L.A. a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 2nd, the Dodgers put two men on, but pitcher Bob Welch grounded out to end the inning. In the top of the 3rd, Darling struck out the side in order.

Bob Welch retired the Mets in order in the first three innings.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Lenny Dykstra led off with a bunt single. After Wally Backman grounded into a force play, Keith Hernandez singled on a liner over second base. Gary Carter then hit a sac fly to rightfield scoring Dykstra, tying up the game

The game stayed tied at one into the 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, Len Dykstra led off with a base hit. Wally Backman then doubled to right field scoring Dykstra with the Mets second run.  

Keith Hernandez & Gary Carter both followed with base hits with Backman scoring on Carter's hit making it 3-0. Danny Heep followed with a base hit to load the bases. 

Dodger manager Tom Lasorda removed Bob Welch & brought in Tom Niedenfuer.

The Mets George Foster came up to bat with the bases loaded. Foster had fallen out of favor with the Mets players, the organization & the fans. As the Mets kept winning, the veteran's days were numbered. 

Grand Slam: But tonight, he was cheered as he hit a grand slam HR down the left field line making it 7-1 New York. A smiling George Foster came out of the dugout & took a curtain call for the Shea Stadium Faithful.

George Foster Trivia: It was George Fosters' 13th career grand slam HR tying him with Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner on the all-time list. Foster was now second to Dave Kingman at the time, among active players in grand slams. This was also Foster's fifth HR of the 1986 season.

Dodger pitcher Tom Niedenfuer was visibly upset, not moving off the mound with his hands on his
hips. He stared into the Mets dugout, then stood on the mound with his eyes closed. 

As tempers began to rise, Dodger third baseman Bill Madlock came over to try to calm down his pitcher. 

Another 1986 Mets Brawl: The next batter was Ray Knight, he stepped in & on the very first pitch, Niedenfuer hit him on the elbow with a pitch. Ray Knight a former Golden Glove boxer Ray Knight was outraged. Knight immediately dropped the bat & charged the mound. 

Niedenfuer grabbed his legs & threw Knight to the ground. As the two fell to the ground Knight was throwing punches to the pitcher's back, ribs & head. 

Both benches cleared, punches were flying everywhere as the brawling '86 Mets were at it again, living up to their nasty reputation.  

Mets coach Bill Robinson was in the middle of the pile helping to get Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia off Ray Knight. 

After the pile was broken up, Umpire Joe West & Mets manager Davey Johnson tried to hold a still angered Knight. He was eventually escorted away by Gary Carter & Howard Johnson. 

After the fights were broken up, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda was still furious about things & argued with umpires Frank Pulli & Billy Williams.

Order was eventually restored. Although no one was ejected, both players would later be fined by the league. 

Tom Niedenfuer visibly had a swollen eye but stayed in the game to pitch. After the game, Ray Knight said he had no choice in what he did, when he got hit, he had to hit back. 

Quotes- Ray Knight: "If he wants to hit me, fine, I'll do the same thing to him" Knight said.

Quotes- Tom Niedenfuer: ''The pitch to Foster wasn't where I wanted it. The pitch to Knight
wasn't where I wanted it.'' 

Dodgers Pre-Game Clubhouse Fight: Strangely before the game Dodgers Steve Sax & Greg Brock had a scuffle of their own in the visiting dugout. Tom Niedenfuer led the Dodger teammates in breaking it up.

As the inning went on, the Mets got a base hit from Rafael Santana. Then Ron Darling bunted & Niedenfuer threw wildly to first base with all runners being safe. Tommy Lasorda finally removed him from the game.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Mets tacked on a run as Keith Hernandez hit a solo HR on a 3-0 count off Alejandro Pena. Now it was Keith Hernandez turn to take the curtain call getting Tommy Lasorda even more angry in the L.A. dugout.

In the 9th inning, Darling started the inning striking out Mike Marshall. After a double to Mike Scioscia, he struck out Cesar Cedeno & Franklin Stubbs.

The Mets went on to the 8-1 win. 

Ron Darling had great stuff on this night, pitching a complete game one run, five hitter, walking two & striking out a season high twelve batters. He got the win, getting to 6-0 lowering his ERA to 3.38.

On the night Darling struck out Franklin Stubbs three times, Ken Landreaux & Mike Marshall two times each. Six other Dodgers in the lineup that night struck out at least one time, with the exception of Mike Scioscia & Greg Brock.

from centerfield: centerfieldmaz at the next night's game as Dwight Gooden beat the Dodgers 4-2. We had great seats, first row on top of the Dodger dugout. When Niedenfuer was brought in the game we really let him have it. The Shea faithful booed & harassed him as well as manager Tommy Lasorda mercifully. It was noticeable that the it was getting to the two. After the game Lasorda complained to the press about the hostile fans.