On May 19, 1998, a fierce confrontation broke out during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. The Bombers, boasting a league-best 28-9 record, mounted an impressive comeback against the 20-23 Orioles, overcoming a 5-1 deficit with a six-run eighth inning.
The altercation ignited when Orioles reliever Armando Benitez, brought in to protect a 5-4 lead, surrendered a three-run homer to Bernie Williams. Immediately after, Benitez hit Tino Martinez with his next pitch, triggering a violent brawl.
Darryl Strawberry of the Yankees was notably involved, landing a punch on Benitez before the momentum carried him into the Orioles’ dugout, where Orioles coach Elrod Hendricks retaliated against Strawberry.
Martinez’s fury was intensified by this being the second unprovoked instance of Benitez hitting him. The brawl saw multiple flare-ups before it eventually subsided.
Despite the chaotic interruption, the Yankees secured a 9-5 victory. This incident remains one of baseball’s most memorable on-field altercations.
Suspension spree after Yankees-Orioles brawl
The day after a violent bench-clearing brawl at Yankee Stadium between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, American League President Gene Budig issued suspensions to five players involved. Baltimore’s Armando Benitez received the most severe penalty, an eight-game suspension, for intentionally throwing at Tino Martinez.
Budig cited the potential for serious injury to Martinez as the reason for Benitez’s heavy punishment. Martinez, nursing a back bruise, missed the next game, and his return was uncertain until the weekend series against Boston.
Other suspensions included three-game bans for Yankees’ Darryl Strawberry and Graeme Lloyd, and two-game suspensions for Jeff Nelson and Orioles’ Alan Mills. Benitez and Strawberry began serving their suspensions immediately, with the option to appeal by the following day.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner reacted in his usual outspoken manner, offering sharp comments and even suggesting a personal fight with Orioles owner Peter Angelos to resolve the dispute.
Interestingly, Orioles catcher Lenny Webster defended the Yankees and Martinez, distancing himself from Benitez’s actions.
This incident underscores the intense rivalries and occasional violence in baseball, highlighting the league’s efforts to maintain order through disciplinary measures.
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