Bad blood boils over: A look back at Yankees-Orioles’ wildest brawls

Follow Us

Five infamous Yankees-Orioles fights define the rivalry that passed from the field to the benches and blows.

While baseball purists fixate on the storied Yankees-Red Sox or Dodgers-Giants feuds, a compelling undercurrent of animosity continues to simmer between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. This American League East confrontation may lack national recognition, but its intensity matches any marquee rivalry in the sport.

The relationship between these division foes has evolved from competitive baseball affairs in the 1970s into a decades-spanning contest of determination, temperament, and raw emotion. From vintage mound-charging incidents to contemporary dugout confrontations, the Yankees and Orioles continually craft new chapters filled with hostility and dramatic tension.

Here’s a look at five pivotal moments that showcase why this rivalry remains significant—and shows no signs of cooling down.

June 24, 1975 – Munson ignites the powder keg

The seeds of the Bronx-Baltimore antagonism were planted when Yankees captain Thurman Munson established an aggressive precedent. The hard-nosed catcher sparked an early memorable clash after Orioles hurler Mike Torrez delivered a dangerously high fastball near his head.

Munson’s reaction was immediate and fierce. After completing his at-bat with a ground out, he charged directly toward Torrez on the mound. Though the confrontation didn’t escalate to punches, both benches emptied instantly, establishing a foundation for a rivalry characterized by pride and physically intimidating play.

This encounter embodied baseball’s unwritten code—brushback pitches, intimidating glares, and a lingering resentment passed through generations of roster turnover.

May 19, 1998 – The worst ever brawl

The rivalry reached its boiling point during a seemingly routine contest at Yankee Stadium in 1998. After surrendering a three-run homer to Bernie Williams, Orioles closer Armando Benítez deliberately drilled Tino Martinez between the shoulder blades with his next pitch.

The calculated retaliation transformed an ordinary game into absolute chaos.

Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry erupted from the dugout, launching the first strike. Orioles reliever Alan Mills countered with a precise right hook that connected squarely with Strawberry. The ensuing fracas resulted in five ejections and multiple suspensions across both clubs.

This wasn’t merely a skirmish—it represented a crucial moment that crystallized the deep-seated tension between these organizations and their passionate fan bases.

September 9, 2013 – The managerial meltdown

Not every flashpoint in this rivalry has involved physical confrontation. Some battles have been psychological, as demonstrated in 2013 by the leadership.

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi leveled accusations that Baltimore was stealing signs during a crucial September matchup. This allegation infuriated Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who responded with matching intensity. The two baseball minds had to be physically restrained while exchanging heated words from their respective dugouts.

Though players remained uninvolved and no ejections occurred, this incident illustrated how the competitive fire burned equally hot among those making strategic decisions. When managers display such raw emotion, it inevitably influences team culture and on-field behavior.

July 12, 2024 – Holmes’ high heat on Kjerstad sparks tensions

The rivalry entered its contemporary phase last summer when Yankees reliever Clay Holmes delivered a fastball that struck Orioles rookie Heston Kjerstad in the helmet.

The impact sent Kjerstad sprawling and Baltimore’s dugout into an immediate uproar. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde charged toward New York’s dugout, unleashing a verbal tirade while being physically restrained. Both benches emptied in perhaps the most heated exchange between these teams in recent seasons.

Hyde received an ejection, and Yankees personnel insisted the pitch was unintentional. The Orioles remained unconvinced, and this moment established Kjerstad as a central figure in the rivalry’s modern iteration.

April 30, 2025 – Reyes-Kjerstad collision renews flames

Just when tensions appeared to be subsiding, Kjerstad found himself at the center of controversy once again.

During Wednesday’s series finale at Camden Yards, the Orioles outfielder stole second base and collided with Yankees infielder Pablo Reyes, who had leaped to field an errant throw from catcher Austin Wells. Reyes landed awkwardly on Kjerstad’s head, triggering immediate verbal exchanges.

“Maybe at the beginning, he thought I did it on purpose,” Reyes explained through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “But obviously he couldn’t see the throw or how the play developed and the effort that I had to put in to make a play there.”

Benches quickly emptied, followed by bullpen personnel rushing in. Though no punches were thrown, the symbolism was clear: this rivalry remains very much alive.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who delivered a stellar three-hit performance including a home run in the 5-4 defeat, minimized the incident’s significance.

“It was a weird bench-clearing,” Judge remarked. “Reyes is jumping up to make a play. I don’t know what [Kjerstad] is mad about.”

Judge also downplayed suggestions of an intensifying rivalry.

“I don’t know about a rivalry,” he stated. “We’re just out there to play ball.”

Yet Kjerstad’s response—viewed alongside his history with New York—suggests a different narrative. Even Orioles manager Brandon Hyde acknowledged the heightened atmosphere, noting, “Emotions from both sides kind of went up.”

A Rivalry That Endures

In 2025, the Yankees and Orioles find themselves at different developmental stages, yet their encounters remain anything but routine. From historic brawls to modern-day flare-ups, these organizations consistently demonstrate a remarkable ability to antagonize each other, challenge boundaries, and push emotional limits.

Whether manifested through towering home runs, inside fastballs, or confrontations around the basepaths, the Yankees-Orioles feud thrives on perceived disrespect and fierce determination to dominate within the competitive AL East division.

With multiple meetings remaining on this season’s schedule, fans should anticipate further intensity. History consistently shows one undeniable truth—neither the Yankees nor the Orioles forget past slights, and neither shows any inclination to retreat from confrontation.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Follow Us