Mookie Betts remembers the final Crimson Sox-Yankees brawl: ‘I’m a lover, not a fighter’

The rivalry between the Crimson Sox and Yankees has misplaced a few of its fastball over the previous couple of years. 

Simply don’t inform that to former Crimson Sox star Mookie Betts.

“I feel the Crimson Sox-Yankees rivalry might be the perfect in sports activities,” Betts informed Yankees OF Aaron Decide throughout Bleacher Report’s “On Base With Mookie Betts” final week. “And I say that as a result of each groups are at all times good. And this can be fan-driven, but it surely looks as if it’s at all times hostile.”

Throughout an hour-long dialog between the previous AL MVPs, each Betts and Decide mentioned the final brawl between the Sox and Yankees on April 11, 2018.

Within the early levels of Boston’s eventual World Sequence run, Joe Kelly penned one other memorable chapter on this century-long rivalry when he plunked Tyler Austin just a few innings after the New York infielder spiked Brock Holt throughout a pressure out at second.

Kelly ultimately struck Austin with a 98-mph fastball, prompting Austin to slam his bat in anger. Seconds later, each Kelly and Austin had been buying and selling punches close to the pitcher’s mound as each benches cleared.

It was the primary brawl between the Crimson Sox and Yankees since Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez scrapped on July 24, 2004. 

As each Kelly and Austin began to sq. up, Betts remembered heading in from the outfield to affix the fracas. However at 5-foot-9 and 180 kilos, Betts wasn’t going to start out buying and selling blows with New York’s outfielders, particularly the 6-foot-7, 282-pound Decide.

“I bear in mind after we had our brawl and Joe Kelly hit Tyler Austin, and I’m in proper discipline. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, right here we go,” Betts informed Decide. “So, everyone runs in. Thoughts you, y’all had everyone that was 6’5″ and taller in your group.“

As Betts made the trek towards the infield, he noticed the Yankees bullpen empty behind him and cost into the fray. New York’s relievers had been additionally anchored by various imposing MLBers, together with 6-foot-8 Dellin Betances, 6-foot-4, Aroldis Chapman, and 6-foot-3 Chad Inexperienced.

“They had been coming, too,” Decide mentioned of New York’s bullpen corps.

“I slowly walked,” Betts added. “I’m a lover, not a fighter. And y’all was too massive, man, however that completely depicts the Crimson Sox-Yankees.”