Dave Lefchak's opinion on the world of sports
July 1, 2002

Monday Night Raw

The summer is heating up here in scenic Northeastern Pennsylvania. That, of course, means that I have returned to work at Lackawanna County Stadium, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons of the International League. It's a great job - getting paid to watch baseball and future baseball stars. Since the team moved here in 1989 from Maine, I remember seeing players who are stars today when they were just young prospects. Curt Schilling, David Justice, Juan Gonzalez, Scott Rolen... the list goes on and on. And now, I get the chance to interview some of the new prospects - like pitcher Brett Myers - and also some major league veterans for just a few minutes. I consider myself very lucky for this opportunity. Minor league baseball is one of the hidden treasures in our society, simply because it is the best - and most affordable - form of entertainment available.

That being said, it was hard to beat the entertainment provided at Monday night's game against the Columbus Clippers. The Red Barons were winning 10-0 in the 5th inning, when shortstop Dave Doster got drilled in the back with a pitch. Later on in the inning, our prized center field prospect Marlon Byrd got hit in the leg. You could sense something was brewing on the Astroturf, as the Barons continued the onslaught to take a 15-0 lead after 5 innings. In the top of the 6th, our top prospect Brett Myers gets the first two batters out with ease. Then, Robert Perez steps to the plate... and Myers throws some chin music, not actually hitting Perez but sending him to the ground nonetheless. The tension level was becoming palpable at this point. When the Barons came to bat in the bottom of the 6th, Marlon Byrd took the first pitch from Bob Scanlan right between the two 1's on his uniform. The home plate umpire automatically ejects Scanlan as Byrd trots down to first.

As this is happening, our pitcher Myers, who is in the dugout, is shouting out at the other team's third baseman. Incidentally, Columbus' third baseman is none other than Drew Henson, the former quarterback of the Michigan Wolverines. He chose baseball over football, and has a clear path to take over the third base job for the Yanks next season. Myers, however, feels that Henson is acting a little too cocky on the field for his liking, and proceeds to draw a mental bulls-eye on Henson's uniform. So, guess who comes up in the next inning for Columbus... yep, it's Henson. Jeremy Ruby, a colleague of mine at the stadium, sees what's coming a mile away as he says, "Here it comes... this is gonna get ugly."

Myers throws the very first pitch to Henson right at his knees.

Henson charges the mound and the benches and bullpens spill onto the field. Literally everyone was going at it... even the coaches could be seen right in the middle of the melee. The most interesting part of the fight, however, did not involve Myers or Henson. Columbus infielder Erick Almonte - who was not even in the starting lineup that night - was lining up Red Barons relief pitcher Elio Serrano. Punches were thrown, and Almonte voluntarily went back into the dugout. Moments later, he re-emerged with his shirt untucked, looking for Serrano once again. From my vantage point in the PA booth, I could see something that many people probably failed to notice. Almonte had taken two baseballs from the dugout and put them in his back pockets, with an obvious intention to start hurling them at the Red Barons, namely Serrano.

And as Myers walked off the field, he twirled his hat to the 6,000 fans in attendance, who awarded him with a standing ovation.

Oh, by the way, the Red Barons went on to set a new record for runs scored at Lackawanna County Stadium as they clobbered the Clippers by the final score of 19-1. Of course, that's not the first thing I'll think of when I recall this game. Just wanted to spread the word out there about one of the greatest baseball fights of all time.

That's my two cents gang... enjoy the game, folks.