On This Date in Sports August 12, 1984
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
A Sunday Afternoon Game between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves at Fulton County Stadium turns into WrestleMania, as 13 players and coaches are ejected after a series of bench clearing brawls. The hostilities started in the first inning when Braves Pascual Perez hit Alan Wiggins to lead off the game. As the Padres tried to retaliate tempers flared leading to the melee that involved fans and half-dressed players running from the locker.
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The 1984 season was a magical ride for the San Diego Padres, who in their 16th season were finally making a serious playoff push. In their first 15 seasons, the Padres had never finished better than fourth and only had one season over .500. As August arrived the Padres were comfortably in first, leading the Atlanta Braves by nine and a half games. Guaranteed of at least a split of a four game series in Atlanta, the Padres were finishing up an 11-game Eastern road swing on a steamy afternoon in Atlanta, holding a record of 69-47.
Pascal Perez got the start in the series finale against the Padres. The often enigmatic pitcher had a reputation for throwing at batters. Looking to send a message, Perez nailed San Diego leadoff hitter Alan Wiggins in the side with the game’s first pitch. With the Braves leading 2-0 in the second inning Perez came to the plate looking to a sacrifice Rafael Ramirez into scoring position. Instead, Eddie Whitson threw one to the backstop buzzing Perez to send a message. This led to both benches coming on to the field, without any punches being thrown, as Padres Catcher Terry Kennedy took exception to how Perez held the bat. Pascual Perez would strike out as Ramirez scored on a single by Jerry Royster one hitter later. The purpose pitch led to a warning to both benches, but the Padres were not done with Perez by a longshot. In the fourth inning, Whitson tried to hit Perez again, missing him three times before being ejected along with Manager Dick Williams. Pascual Perez would walk and score to give Atlanta a 4-0 lead. Greg Booker would also throw one high in tight to Perez in the sixth inning as the Padres spent the rest of the game focusing on revenge against the Braves starter. For that incident, Booker was ejected along with acting manager Ozzie Virgil Sr.
With the Braves leading 5-1 in the eighth inning, Pascual Perez in his fourth at bat is finally drilled by Padres Reliever Craig Lefferts. As Lefferts was ejected the Braves rushed on to the field igniting the first of many fights. Not wanting any part of the fight, Perez snuck over to the Braves dugout as the both teams grappled in the middle of the diamond. Champ Summers of the Padres meanwhile attempted to break free of the pile to confront the Braves pitcher whose elbow was being checked by a trainer. After initially being restrained by Bob Watson, Summers broke free and ran over to the Braves dugout. At this point, Bob Horner, who was on the disabled list with an injured wrist came out of the clubhouse to protect Perez. As Horner tried to restrain Champ Summers, fans began to involve themselves in the brawl. As the fight carried over to the Braves dugout. When order was finally restored, several players were ejected along with Padres bench coach Jack Krol the acting manager. To help restore order, Pascual Perez was removed from the game for a pinch runner. The fighting was not done, Goose Gossage retired all three batters he faced, as Donnie Moore came on in relief and hit the first batter he faced Craig Nettles, touching off another benching clearing incident, which included a scrap up between Nettles and former Yankee teammate Chris Chambliss. As fans began throwing debris on the field, Ed Whitson who was ejected earlier in the game came back into the dugout shirtless and grabbed a bat looking to climb into the stands, after Kurt Bevacqua was hit in the face with a cup of beer. The Braves would eventually win the game 5-3 as the war or words continued following the game.
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When the dust settled, 13 players and coaches were ejected with five fans being taken to jail. After the brawl game, Padres Manager Dick Williams received the heaviest punishment as he was suspended ten games and fined $10,000 by National League President Chub Finney. Braves Manager Joe Torre meanwhile, received a three game suspension and was fined $1,000. Also receiving suspension were Champ Summers and Bobby Brown of the Padres, along with Gerald Perry, Steve Bedrosian and Rick Mahler of the Braves.