Best Toronto Blue Jays Fights, Dust-ups, and Bru-ha-has

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Apr 16, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez (27) reacts after scoring on a hit by catcher Jonathan Lucroy (not pictured) in the fifth inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!

Fisticuffs are rare in baseball. But, they do happen. They get crowds riled up. They get players ejected. They get players hurt. Just ask Zack Greinke. But, they can also turn the tide of a game.

In light of Carlos Gomez going off at Gerrit Cole yesterday, I thought it would be entertaining to take a look back at some recent brawls, dustups or bench clearing shenanigans of the Toronto Blue Jays. There are not many to choose from. The Blue Jays do not seem to have some half-crazy, juiced up meat head show off to get other teams riled up. Some fans have even questioned the team’s toughness over the years. Take a look at some of the altercations over the last couple years and decide: Are the Blue Jays tough? Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment below.

June 13, 2001

Atlanta Braves vs Toronto Blue Jays

Original Photo from Aaron Harris/AP

Raul Mondesi was struck in the knee by Tom Glavine. On his way to first, he was “discussing” with Glavine the intent of that pitch. John Rocker took exception and charged from the bullpen. Mondesi was willing to accept the challenge, but teams held them apart. What is interesting about this one is that it seems everyone in the ballpark is (and was) familiar with John rocker. After the game, Chipper Jones said a “certain member of the bullpen” should have kept his mouth shut. For a synopsis of the steroid John Rocker induced silliness, check out this L.A. Times article.

April 5, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Indians

In the 15th inning,

Luis Perez

throws inside on

Shin-Soo Choo

and knocks him on his rump. The benches clear. Bullpens empty. Other than Choo taking exception and a couple steps toward Perez, it ended pretty uneventfully.

August 23, 2010

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays

In his first MLB start,

Ivan Nova

lets a fastball fly at

Jose Bautista

. It was a mistake pitch, but Jose did not like the rookie coming anywhere near his head. He had some words for Nova. To his credit, as a rookie, Nova didn’t back down. The benches cleared.

Jose Molina

did a good job separating Bautista from the silliness. Even

Brett Cecil

had a laugh over it with

Brandon Morrow

.

September 15, 2009

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees

The following is one of my favorites. After

Aaron Hill

had been hit earlier in the game and the Blue Jays had a comfy 9-2 lead,

Jesse Carlson

threw WELL behind

Jorge Posada

. Obviously, Posada took exception to what was clearly payback. Posada eventually reached base and came around to score. He intentionally bumped Carlson on his way by and then it was on!

Rod Barajas

ended up on the bottom of the pile. It took a beat hug from

C.C. Sabathia

to hold Posada back.

There you have it. A record of some altercations that the Blue Jays have been involved in over the last couple years. What do you think? Are the Jays pretty tame? Do you have any others to add? Leave a comment below.

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