Remembering Mets History (1986) The Bill Robinson - Rick Rhoden Brawl
Friday June 6th, 1986: It had been just eleven days since the last brawl the wild, fighting 1986 Mets had been in. That Brawl was at Shea Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers starring Ray Knight & L.A. pitcher Tom Niedenfuer.
Trivia: Robinson & Rhoden had been team mates in Pittsburgh from 1979-1982 including the 1979 Pirates "We Are Family" World Championship team.
Davey Johnson's 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).
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.
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 Bill Robinson started shouting something at the pitcher Rhoden who then shouted back at the Mets coach. Robinson ran over to Rhoden & shoved him, soon punches were flying. The two went at it, then the players emptied from the dugout and the bullpens.
The ball wall was ejected, Carter ended up striking out, ending the inning.
At this point Bill Robinson started shouting something at the pitcher Rhoden who then shouted back at the Mets coach. Robinson ran over to Rhoden & shoved him, soon punches were flying. The two went at it, then the players emptied from the dugout and the bullpens.
Mitchell a former San Diego street gang kid, grabbed Khalifa in a chokehold throwing him to the ground, scrapping his face across the turf.
According to Mets pitcher Ron Darling, everything stopped in the brawl when Khalifa started turning blue from Mitchell's choke hold.
Quotes- Kevin Mitchell: "You don't go after Uncle Bill, I felt like he was a father to me".
Quotes- Ron Darling: "That's the only one I've ever been involved in that we had to stop because someone might have died on the field. That's how bad it got".
arms. Eventually order was restored. Bill Robinson was the only one ejected, since he had shoved Rhoden first.
In the bottom of the 5th, Rhoden collected a bunt base hit, putting two on for 21 year old Barry Bonds who was playing in just his ninth career game. Bonds then connected off Darling, hitting his second career HR. After winning five straight games, Darling took his second straight loss.
The Pirates won the game 7-1, the only time in 18 meetings that year they were able to beat the Mets.
Quotes- Manager Davey Johnson: "All the balls are scuffed in the same spot. He's either got to quit doing it or pick a different spot. We're all required to obey the rules but he flagrantly scuffs the ball then flaunts it".
Aftermath: NL President Chub Feeny handed out the fines the next day. Robinson was fined $500, Mitchell $200. Pirates' manager Leyland was fined $400, while Rick Rhoden & Tommy Khalifa both were fined $200 Each.