Joe Pepitone Caused the Biggest Brawl in Yankee Stadium History
May 1, 2012 · Harold Friend · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Joe Pepitone was blamed for starting one of the most violent brawls in Yankee Stadium history when he charged toward Cleveland Indians‘ pitcher Gary Bell on Aug. 22, 1963. It wasn’t completely his fault.
The New York Yankees had defeated the Indians in the opener of a twi-night double header. Pepitone led the way to the 3-1 victory with three hits. He then hit a two-run double in the first inning of the nightcap.
When he batted in third inning against right-hander Barry Latman, Pepitone was hit on his wrist. According to the Associated Press, there was tension in the air. Pepitone getting hit “…seemed to be the signal for the start of one of the most prolonged bean ball battles ever witnessed at the Stadium.”
Before Pepitone came to the plate for the last time in the eighth inning, a lot had happened.
Yankees pitcher Stan Williams and the Tribe first baseman each had been plunked. Williams came close to hitting Willie Kirkland, Mike de la Hoz and Jose Azcue. A Latman delivery almost hit Hector Lopez.
In the eighth inning, with Gary Bell on the mound, Pepitone was hit for the second time in the game. He and Bell exchanged words as Pepitone headed for the mound. Umpire Lou DiMuro restrained the volatile first baseman. He told Bell that he was fined the mandatory $50.
Standing on first base, Pepitone decided to charge the mound again.
First baseman Fred Whitfield attempted to stop him as both benches emptied. Players wrestled, fought, kicked, scratched, screamed, swore at each other and rolled in the dust. The crowd of almost 26,000 fans shouted encouragement to the Yankees and some even left the stands to help their heroes.
The melee finally ended with Pepitone being ejected. After the game, he spoke to reporters.
“I was all right until I got to first base. Then I began calling him names and he hollered back at me, daring me to come to him. So I did.
“But I got grabbed from behind, I figured I was going to get hit so I might as well start swinging first. I am not mad at anybody anymore.”
Bell was not angry with anyone either, as he explained.
“I wasn’t trying to hit him,” said the big right-hander. “In fact, I’m not mad at anybody. But he kept shouting profanity at me and I won’t take that from anybody.”
There were injuries. Indians’ rookie shortstop Larry Brown required stitches on his injured foot, Dick Howser was spiked and Whitfield suffered head and facial bruises.
Yankees’ manager Ralph Houk pulled a muscle and Cleveland manager Birdie Tebbetts had a cut foot.
The Yankees swept the twin bill by identical scores of 3-1.
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