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This Day in NY Mets History: Ray Knight clears the benches vs. the LA Dodgers

This game proved the 1986 Mets weren't to be messed with.
ByTim Boyle|
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May 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets former player Ray Knight is introduced to the crowd during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1986 World Series Championship team prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-Imagn Images
May 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets former player Ray Knight is introduced to the crowd during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1986 World Series Championship team prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-Imagn Images | Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

On May 27, 1986, the New York Mets clobbered the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 on their way to a 28-11 start on the year. The fiery future World Series Champions weren’t savvy, lucky, or built with intentions of shaking anyone’s hand after the game. The 1986 Mets were, in many ways, a group of misfits who would’ve been bareknuckle fighters in another life.

The 8-1 win over the Dodgers at Shea Stadium was remembered for something different. In the bottom of the sixth inning, George Foster hit a grand slam to put the Mets on top 7-1. It was the second pitch thrown by reliever Tom Niedenfuer who came in to replace Bob Welch. His third pitch was directed right at third baseman Ray Knight.

Knight took exception to the HBP. He tossed down his helmet, charged the mound, and the benches cleared for a memorable brawl between the Mets and Dodgers.

The Mets probably lost the one-on-one fight, but sent a message with this brawl

Baseball was different in 1986. Knight, despite causing a delay and drawing everyone from out of the dugout and bullpens, stayed in the game. So did Niedenfuer. Neither player was ejected. Niedenfuer didn’t last long anyway, allowing a single to the next hitter and seeing Ron Darling reach on an error he made.

Darling went the distance in this one while Knight went hitless with a walk in addition to his hit by pitch. He had already fanned twice leading up to this plate. Maybe a little frustrated with himself, Neidenfuer picked the wrong player to throw at.

Knight’s lore with the Mets reached its height with 1986 World Series MVP honors. In the regular season, he was as much an enforcer as anyone. On July 22 of that same year, he was on the frontline of a brawl with the Cincinnati Reds. This 10th inning brawl did lead to some ejections. The Mets would manage to win it in 14, a Howard Johnson 3-run home run sealing it in the top half of the inning. This second baseball fight was the more infamous game where Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell swapped spots on the mound and in right field throughout extra innings.

The Mets and Dodgers have had some important battles over the years, but haven't had a whole lot of fists thrown. A spring training game in 2002 was one of the exceptions when Mike Piazza charged Guillermo Mota. This mound charge didn't have quite the same impression as Knight's. The Mets won 75 games and finished last in the NL East.

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