Best Detroit Tigers Fights Over The Years

Oct 2, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates with catcher Alex Avila (13) after hitting a home run during the second inning in game one of the 2014 American League divisional series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the years the Detroit Tigers have seen their fair share of drama on the field. It really seems as though Detroit players know how to get into the oppositions head, which usually makes things really exciting, because who doesn’t love a good fight?

Deny all you want, but a classic outburst of anger always livens things up a bit.

Fights in baseball are a rarity, so when they do occur it’s a pretty big deal. Take it as a good thing or a bad thing but the Tigers have been involved in multiple scuffles throughout the seasons; some interesting, some childish, and some that instantly go down in baseball lore. With that being said here is a look at Detroit Tigers fights over the years.

*Videos of the fight are included in every slide

Carlos Guillen ticks off Jered Weaver, August 2011

Apr 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) sits in dugout during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Back in August of 2011 Justin Verlander was having the greatest season by a pitcher in modern history. As the dog days of summer rolled around, the Los Angeles Angeles made a stop in Motown. Angels ace Jered Weaver was also in the midst of a great season, which is why when the two met in a game it was a pretty big deal.

After Carlos Guillen blasted a HR off Weaver, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead, Guillen took a bit of time getting out of the batter’s box and Weaver did not like that at all.

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Both benches were then warned after the Guillen home run.

The next batter, Alex Avila, then stepped to the plate only to have a fastball thrown directly at his head. Weaver was then ejected and threw a childlike tantrum on his way to the dugout. Verlander looked like a god, Weaver looked like a big baby.

Nearly five years later and it is still one of the more memorable moments in modern Detroit baseball.

Tigers and White Sox Brawl, April 2000

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

This might just be the only thing the Detroit Tigers of the early 2000’s are remembered for.

And oddly enough, Jered Weaver’s equally “energetic” brother, Jeff Weaver, was a culprit of this fight. After hitting Carlos Lee of the Chicago White Sox, things began to tense up a bit.

Then, with the Tigers batting, White Sox pitcher Jim Parque decided he wanted to have some fun by beaning Dean Palmer, prompting Palmer to charge the mound.

Before you now it, every player on the roster is throwing punches, Bobby Higginson is getting some knocks in, and complete chaos ensues. Moving like a herd of water buffalo across the Serengeti the two teams move from the infield to the outfield and cheap shots continued to fly.

You can view a video of the brawl here

Victor Martinez and Grant Balfour Drop Some F-Bombs, October 2013

Oct 7, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Home plate umpire Gary Darling (37) gets between Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (left) and Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour (50) in the ninth inning in game three of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at Comerica Park. Oalkand won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

To call this an actual fight would be a stretch, but it’s still worthy of noting as Victor Martinez completely owned then-Oakland Athletics closer Grant Balfour.

It was Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, and Martinez was up to bat against Balfour. It’s uncertain what exactly started this whole ordeal as the screaming and explicit language came out of nowhere.

Victor Martinez doesn’t even know what happened, according to USA Today:

“I just fouled a pitch off,” Martinez said. “This guy look at me and I was looked at him. He told me ‘What the (expletive) I’m looking at?’ Really? I mean, (expletive) him. I don’t take that (expletive). Not even the greatest closer in the game, Mariano Rivera, tell you stuff like that.”

Martinez then said he doesn’t even know who this guy is:

I don’t even know who this guy is…I know he’s the closer and that’s it,” Martinez said.

The dust then settled and Victor ended up hitting a single to RF off of Balfour.

You can view the video here, just be warned it contains NSFW language.

Rod Allen in a Foot Pursuit, Early 1990’s

Photo Credit: Guyism

Technically Rod Allen was not a member of the Detroit Tigers at this point in his illustrious career. You know, the career he reminisces about constantly during broadcasts?

But with Allen being such a big part of Tigers baseball for the past decade it’s only fitting he get credit where credit is due.

To give you a quick run down, Rod Allen was playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp when he was hit with a pitch. Rod threw down his helmet with great fury and took off towards the pitcher like a lightning bolt.

What went from a two-man ordeal soon turned into a team-wide affair and before you knew it, it looked like all the kids running behind Rocky Balboa when he trains. There’s no other way to put it other than saying this incident is absolutely bizarre and what Rod Allen was thinking that day…even Rod Allen may not be able to answer that question.

Regardless, I see you Big Fella!

You can watch the video here