Today is 22nd anniversary of the Nolan Ryan-Robin Ventura fight

[Auggie]

Tuesday is the 22nd anniversary of Nolan Ryan's famous beatdown of Robin Ventura, a moment in baseball history that further cemented the mythical stature of the Ryan Express.

The Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox had exchanged terse words and beanballs over the course of several seasons, and things boiled over on Aug. 4, 1993. Ryan, pitching for the Rangers in his 27th and final major league season at age 46, was a living legend. Ventura was a 26-year-old Gold Glove third baseman for the White Sox.

Ventura, batting fourth for Chicago, had singled to left in the first inning to drive in Joey Cora for the first run of the game. Ryan plunked the left-handed Ventura on the right triceps with the first pitch the next time he came to bat. Ventura took a few steps toward first base before suddenly charging the mound. Ryan got Ventura in a headlock and delivered several shots to Ventura's head before both benches cleared and enveloped the two primary combatants in a wave of chaos.

"It was just self-preservation," Ryan said after the game. "I didn't expect that to happen. I was just trying to pitch him inside. You don't have time to think, you just react. I'm not a big believer in fights, but we'll do what it takes to win. ... I have nothing against Robin Ventura. The next time I face him, it won't even cross my mind."

MORE: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13375928/nolan-ryan-robin-ventura-fight-anniversary-13-things-know

[El Supremo]

1. And now he's cursed the Rangers and gone to the former Lastros.

Who are now in first, 7 games up on the Rangers.

[PeteSelman]

2. Baseball players always look ridiculous trying to fight.

Ryan got some good shots in on this one but in general baseball players look like idiots trying to fight.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Really Too Many Noogies

One uppercut catches Ventura in the chops pretty well.

BTW: Nobody fights worse than basketball players. And, i'm not at all happy with hockey fights because no matter how tough, you can only punch so hard standing on ice.

[47of74]

4. And today is the 23rd anniversary