Red Sox Brawls: The Joe Kelly Fight Club, Part 1
Red Sox Brawls is a brand new article series that focuses on the donnybrooks and skirmishes during Sox history.
Joe Kelly looked at home plate and Yankees infielder Tyler Austin and yelled, “Let’s Go!” Kelly drilled the Yankees infielder in the back on April 11th, 2018 in retaliation for Tyler sliding spikes up and taking out infielder Brock Holt in the third inning of the game.
Once Austin was hit by the Kelly pitch, he slammed his bat down and gestured to Kelly to square up on the mound. Kelly yelled “Let’s Go”, and the two began to throw hands. Kelly would land his blows and immediately achieve legend status in New England.
The benches cleared and the two teams tried to break up the melee between Kelly and Austin. Kelly hit Austin a few times and he was left with a fat lip from the fight. Austin would connect with Sox third baseman Carlos Febles on a punch as well.
There were multiple ejections from the brawl. Kelly and Austin were both suspended for the
fight, both players would go on to appeal their suspensions. Multiple players and coaches were fined; Alex Cora, Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin, former Yankees starter CC Sabathia
and Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Marco Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia.
Kelly’s suspension was upheld by Major League Baseball while Austin saw his get reduced by a game.
Austin said after the game that he had no interest in ever talking to Kelly. Austin said
that he had no hard feelings toward Kelly, but he didn’t want to talk to him to clear the air. Austin said there was “no chance” he would chat with Kelly.
With one fight, with a few punches and the New York Yankees being involved, the ‘Joe Kelly Fight Club’ would be born.
Sully’s Brand would go on to quickly make the “Joe Kelly Fight Club” t-shirts that fans would wear in support of Kelly. In fact, J.D. Martinez would go onto wear one too.
Stay tuned for Part Two coming soon.
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