Yankees fight was better than McGregor versus Mayweather

Who knew that the undercard to the highly anticipated Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor fight would be the New York Yankees taking on the Detroit Tigers in a battle royale.

Now that the dust has settled and everyone’s blood pressure has restored to a normal level, it’s time to look at the bare-knuckled brawl that was Yankees versus Tigers.

I’ve read more than a few columns today proclaiming the Bronx Bombers as the real losers in yesterday’s slobber knocker — because for a team that currently leads the AL WIld Card race, and is still within striking distance of the first place Red Sox, they are likely to be without a number of key players once suspensions are handed down by the one and only Joe Torre.

To that I say, STOP! Clearly, the folks penning these pieces have never played a team sport where tempers often times run high.

In all fairness, this all could have been avoided if the men paid to control the game (the umpires) would have tossed Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer after he plunked Gary Sanchez just one at-bat after The Kraken unleashed his third home run in as many games.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step

Even issuing a warning would have eased tensions a bit, but perhaps, the umps gave way to “baseball’s unwritten rule,” allowing the Yankees to collect payback when relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle threw behind Miguel Cabrera and his expanding waist line. Seriously, though, would Miggy be classified more of a middleweight or heavyweight these days?

Anyway, if you’re looking for a second responsible party to blame, it has to be Cabrera. I mean, what did you expect Austin Romine to do, stand there and get continually open hand slapped? TMT (The Money Team) would not be impressed with the former Triple Crown winner’s form.

Connor McGregor, on the other hand, would have jumped out of his seat with the way Romine took Cabrera to the ground — then connected with two upper cuts to the midsection. Without a doubt, Romine unanimously won that first round.

The other plot point and subsequent fallout is directly related to Sanchez’s “cheap shots.” In no way do I condone what Sanchez did, punching not one but two defenseless men who lay on the ground (Cabrera, and then Nick Castellanos).

But remember, this is a 24-year-old kid, who from my understanding has yet to be involved in a big league brawl. So, yes, he did overreact, but neither you nor I know the extent of vulgarities exchanged in the melee.

I do however, whole heartedly disagree with MLB Radio’s Casey Stern and his stance that Sanchez deserves a 15 game suspension. Five games, sure. Seven, maybe. 10-15, no way!

And no, Dellin Betances did not intentionally throw at the head of Tigers catcher James McCann. This is what happens when you’re forced to bring in a pitcher that isn’t yet warmed up.

As for interpreting what did transpire on the diamond, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus reportedly yelled, “F**K YOU” at Brett Gardner, hence why Gardy went all rabid dog in the top of the 8th inning.

Unsurprisingly, Ausmus denies being so crass, but why else would Gardy lose his mind — on his birthday? GET OFF ME, BRO!

Of all the guys in the Yankees’ lineup, I’m really surprised Tigers relief pitcher Alex Wilson would bean the Toddfather with a 95 mph fastball. First of all, Todd Frazier is a big man. Secondly, has Wilson never seen an episode of ‘The Sopranos”? Do you have any idea what they do to guys like Wilson in New Jersey?!

Then there was one of my favorite moments from the improvised Wrestlemania — Sonny “Pickles” Grey and Tyler “T-Money” Austin tag-teaming Nick Castellanos — pinning him to the ground like a rag doll. See, teamwork really does make the dream work.

At the end of the day, there will undoubtedly be a bevy of fines and suspensions handed down. But moments like this can define a club for the duration of a season.

Next: Getting to know Freicer Perez

Remember the 1998 Yankees, when Graeme Lloyd flew out of the bullpen like a bat out of hell — ready to destroy Armando Benitez? Yeah, those Yanks went on to win the whole damn thing.

So if you’re scoring this bout at home, even if the boys from the Bronx do lose on the scorecard of the MLB disciplinary committee, they’ve won a lot more in the eyes of each other and their fans.