Seven years ago today, in a rare occurrence, the benches cleared in a spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees after Shelley Duncan slid spikes high into second base leading to the fracas.
In an earlier meeting that spring between the two teams, tensions arose after Francisco Cervelli fractured his right wrist in a collision with Elliot Johnson at home plate in the 9th inning. When asked about the aggressive play at home plate, manager Joe Girardi was quoted as saying,
Maybe if it happens too much, you should mention it. I don’t understand it. During the season, I’m all for it. It happens in the season. In spring training, I don’t believe in it.
The Yankees, frustrated with the Rays aggressive play in the previous meeting, had a little chip on their shoulder. In the second inning, with the Rays leading 2-0, Shelley Duncan slid hard into second base with his spikes up into Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura. This led to Duncan immediately being tossed from the game. Jonny Gomes raced in from right field and tackled Duncan. Gomes would go on to be ejected as well. It was quite the scene at a spring training game that thankfully didn’t injure any other players.
