Know the reason behind the mid-match ejection of Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez from Saturday’s game between Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians as their fight video goes viral
Tim Anderson and José Ramirez exchanged punches at second base during a multi-round altercation on Saturday night involving Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians. Ramirez appeared to speak to Anderson as he slid into second base, and when Ramirez stood up, he pointed towards Anderson’s face. After that, both competitors exchanged haymakers that eventually knocked Anderson to the ground.
Tim Anderson gets knocked out by Jose Ramirez, fight video goes viral
I present to you: Jose Ramirez rocking Tim Anderson.
Tom Hamilton on the call. pic.twitter.com/hv4kclrs1D
— Mitch Spinell (@MitchSpinell) August 6, 2023
Jose Ramirez with a MEAN right hand right to Tim Anderson’s jaw pic.twitter.com/5hZBF8gvJy
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 6, 2023
Why Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez exchanged punches mid-game?
During the sixth inning of Saturday’s tie featuring Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox, star infielders Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson were dismissed from the pitch after they were caught fighting at second base. Ramirez completed an RBI double at Progressive Field that cut the White Sox lead to 5-1 as he slipped into second base. Notably, Ramirez slid through Anderson’s legs in front of second-base umpire Malachi Moore as he touched the bag with his hands first.
Ramirez reached out a hand as if asking Anderson to assist him in getting up as Anderson gazed down at him. Anderson did not, and after they both stood up straight, they faced off in a confrontation. As teammates and coaches rushed on the scene, punches were thrown and Anderson was knocked to the ground by Ramirez with a right hand. Both managers, Terry Francona of Cleveland and Pedro Grifol of Chicago, were also dismissed from the game, along with Guardians third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and bullpen pitcher Emmanuel Clase.
How team managers reacted to this incident?
Francona told reporters that while he was unsure of what started the confrontation, one of the umpires had warned Anderson to cease yelling with Guardians rookie Gabriel Arias before the altercation started. After being dragged to the dugout and pushed down the steps by his teammates, Anderson eventually found his way back to the melee and was once more engulfed by them. After the game, he avoided talking to journalists.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, suspensions are probably in store for Ramirez and Anderson, and for other players as well. On Sunday afternoon, the teams will compete in the series’ final game. Ramirez claimed he thought Anderson was disrespectful. On Friday night, after sliding into second base, Guardians rookie Brayan Rocchio was knocked off the bag by Anderson, which resulted in a call that the umpires controversially overturned.