Remembering Mets History (1986) The Bill Robinson - Rick Rhoden Brawl
This time it was the Mets cool coach; Bill Robinson, swinging away getting into it with Pirate pitcher Rick Rhoden. Robinson & Rhoden had been team mates back on the 1979 Pirates World Championship team.
The first place Mets (34-15) arrived in Pittsburgh for a twi-night doubleheader against Jim Leyland's fourth place Pirates (22-27). Ron Darling (6-1) took the mound against Rick Rhoden (4-3).
After a quiet 1st inning, the Mets put up a run in the 2nd. Darryl Strawberry singled, George Foster doubled & Ray Knight followed with an RBI single bringing in Strawberry. In the 4th inning the Pirates hit got doubles from Joe Orsulak, RJ Reynolds & Tony Pena resulting in two runs for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 5th Barry Bonds added a two run HR giving the Pirates a 4-1 lead.
After the 2nd inning, Rhoden shut down the Mets, not allowing a hit for the next five innings, striking out four batters, getting his team into the 8th.
The Mets were getting frustrated & accused Rick Rhoden of doctoring up the baseball. Mets first base coach, Bill Robinson kept telling his hitters to ask home plate umpire Billy Williams to check the baseball. Finally in the bottom of the 5th inning things erupted.
The Pirates had a 2-1 lead & with two outs as Keith Hernandez reached on a walk.
Kevin Mitchell grabbed Rhoden & catcher Tony Pena tried to grab Mitchell. Eventually order was restored & Robinson was the only one ejected, since he had shoved Rhoden first. Robinson & Rhoden had been team mates together in Pittsburgh from 1979-1983.
The Pirates won the game 7-1 in that game & the Mets won the second game to split the twin bill.
NL President Chub Feeny handed out the fines the next day. Robinson was fined $500, Mitchell $200. Pirates' manager Leyland was fined $400, while Rhoden & Khalifa both were fined $200.
The Mets were getting frustrated & accused Rick Rhoden of doctoring up the baseball. Mets first base coach, Bill Robinson kept telling his hitters to ask home plate umpire Billy Williams to check the baseball. Finally in the bottom of the 5th inning things erupted.
The Pirates had a 2-1 lead & with two outs as Keith Hernandez reached on a walk.
The next batter, Gary Carter got into a discussion with home plate umpire Williams. Mets manager Davey Johnson came out to see what was going on & asked the baseball to be checked. Pirate skipper Jim Leyland followed onto the field to protect his pitcher.
Quotes- Umpire Billy Williams: ''Carter asked me to look at the ball, he even picked up the ball and saw a mark on it. It was a new ball, and I don't know how it got marked. Then Johnson said if I didn't check out Rhoden, he'd protest the game. So, I went out to the mound and looked at his glove and his hand. Nothing.''
The ball wall was ejected, Carter ended up striking out, ending the inning. At this point Robinson started shouting something at Rhoden, Rhoden shouted back & the next thing punches were flying. The two went at it, then the players emptied from the dugout and the bullpens.
Quotes- Umpire Billy Williams: ''Carter asked me to look at the ball, he even picked up the ball and saw a mark on it. It was a new ball, and I don't know how it got marked. Then Johnson said if I didn't check out Rhoden, he'd protest the game. So, I went out to the mound and looked at his glove and his hand. Nothing.'' The ball wall was ejected, Carter ended up striking out, ending the inning. At this point Robinson started shouting something at Rhoden, Rhoden shouted back & the next thing punches were flying. The two went at it, then the players emptied from the dugout and the bullpens.
The Pirates won the game 7-1 in that game & the Mets won the second game to split the twin bill.
NL President Chub Feeny handed out the fines the next day. Robinson was fined $500, Mitchell $200. Pirates' manager Leyland was fined $400, while Rhoden & Khalifa both were fined $200.