The date is Saturday, May 20, 2006. The White Sox are still ecstatic over their World Series win over the Cardinals the previous October. The Cubs are in the midst of a moribund season that will see them lose 96 games and lead to the firing of Dusty Baker. But as is customary for Cubs/Sox each year, you can throw the records out the window, because the unexpected can and does happen.
On this specific occasion, our attention turns to the second inning of the ball game. At that time, Brian Anderson of the White Sox had just hit a sacrifice fly, trying to drive in A.J. Pierzynski. As he was sliding into home, he ran headlong into Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, who wound up dropping the ball from the shock of the impact. The home plate umpire called A.J. safe, who slapped home plate in an emphatic celebration before turning back towards the dugout. Perturbed over something, Barrett got in Pierzynski's face and decked him in the jaw. As is customary, both benches immediately cleared and a brawl broke out right at home plate. After the fracas finally cleared, the umpires were debating for more than 15 minutes over who would be ejected from the game. After the umps restarted the game, Scott Podsednik loaded up the bases for the Sox, who received a Grand Slam when Tadahito Iguchi brought everybody home.
The game was eventually won by the White Sox 7-0. The White Sox ended up taking the season series that year 4 games to 2. As for the fallout, Michael Barrett was suspended for 10 games, Brian Anderson missed 5, and Pierzynski received a fine. And the flames of the rivalry were fanned for another year.
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