VIDEO: 22nd anniversary of Nolan Ryan putting Robin Ventura in headlock
Rich Pilling / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Exactly 22 years ago Tuesday, one of the most memorable bench-clearing brawls in history took place between the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.
A 46-year-old Nolan Ryan threw one of his blazing fastballs into the shoulder blade of now-White Sox skipper Robin Ventura, who responded by charging the mound. Ryan promptly put Ventura in a headlock upon his arrival at the mound and delivered a few punches to his head before both benches emptied and mayhem ensued.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Ryan plunked Ventura in response to Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez getting hit with a pitch the previous half-inning.
Ventura was ejected from the contest, but Ryan went on to pitch seven innings of two-run ball to pick up the win.