Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson finally addressed Saturday night’s brawl against the Cleveland Guardians in a series of cryptic tweets on Sunday night.
The altercation, which erupted during the bottom of the sixth inning, saw Anderson and José Ramírez exchanging blows, with Ramirez delivering a heavy right hook that knocked Anderson out.
FIGHT BREAKS OUT IN CLEVELAND 😳
(via @NBCSWhiteSox)pic.twitter.com/rb8aPbBtZo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 6, 2023
Following the incident, Anderson chose not to speak to the media, leaving fans speculating about the context behind the social media posts he shared on Sunday. In a series of tweets, Anderson seemed to allude to the brawl without providing explicit details.
you know all this happening for a reason …
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
we staying focus with this shit ..
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
been going through this shit for a min …
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
keep kicking on me while I’m down..
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/TimAnderson7/status/1688330918669225984
y’all got me fucked up fr fr..
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
hope you picking up what I’m putting down too..
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
The Picture Bigger …
— Seven (@TimAnderson7) August 6, 2023
Despite the disciplinary action looming for both players, Ramirez appeared to make light of the situation on Sunday. His agent, Rafa Nieve, shared an Instagram story featuring Ramirez donning boxing gloves.
Jose Ramirez rocking a pair of boxing gloves 😂
(via IG: mlb_agent) pic.twitter.com/T6WBqepAUj
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) August 6, 2023
The confrontation has only intensified the rivalry between the two AL Central teams, even though they won’t face each other again in the regular season. Cleveland ultimately emerged victorious in Sunday’s series finale with a 5-3 win.
The altercation during Saturday’s game began when Ramirez slid into second base and took issue with Anderson’s aggressive tag. After exchanging words, Anderson threw the first punch, and the two players engaged in a physical altercation. Ramirez eventually landed a right hook, sending Anderson to the ground.
After the game, Ramirez spoke to reporters through a translator, expressing his frustration with Anderson’s behavior on the field.
“I think he’s been disrespecting the game for a while,” Ramirez stated. “It’s not from yesterday or before, and I even had the chance to tell him during the game, ‘Don’t do that style. Just be respectful. Don’t start tagging people like that because, in reality, we’re here trying to find ways to provide for our families.'”
Ramirez continued, “When he does a thing that he does on the bases, he can get somebody out of the game. So, for me, I was telling him to stop doing that. And then as soon as the play happened, he tagged me again really hard, more than needed, and his reaction was he wanted to fight. If he wanted to fight, I just had to defend myself.”
As both players face possible suspensions for their roles in the brawl, the tensions between the two won’t be calming down anytime soon.
On a side note, the fight sure did provide us with plenty of great content!
hammy with the absolute all-timer pic.twitter.com/etSXKs0sI3
— julian (@julianseth) August 6, 2023
MLB Gameday’s 3D view of the Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson fight 😂pic.twitter.com/jfWbCs0CAE
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) August 6, 2023