Indy leaguer charges opposing dugout mid-play, sparks brawl
It's probably safe to say Fernando Cruz didn't quite think this one through.
During a Canadian-American League contest between the New Jersey Jackals and Rockland Boulders on July 14, Cruz - the Jackals closer and a former farmhand of the Royals and Cubs - decided to charge at the Boulders' dugout in the middle of the 10th inning, running behind home plate as the pitcher was getting set, and started a massive bench-clearing brawl.
Cruz was immediately clotheslined by a Boulder player, then had to be restrained by several teammates and coaches as he tried to continue the brouhaha. He even appeared to be snapping at several fans as he was escorted out of the stadium through the stands.
The whole incident actually started an inning earlier when Cruz hit a Boulders batter with the bases loaded and then chirped his opponents, which cleared the benches for the first time. Cruz gave up five runs in that inning, allowing the Boulders to tie New Jersey at 8-8.
When all the dust settled, Rockland ended up winning the game 9-8 on a walk-off error. Hopefully by that point Cruz was nowhere near the ballpark.
- With h/t to Deadspin