5 MLB Pitchers Throughout History We'd Love to See Plunk Alex Bregman

The beaning of Houston Astros stars has officially begun, as third baseman Alex Bregman got a nice little present right in his upper back when the Astros took on the St. Louis Cardinals. Now that it appears the players on the other 29 MLB teams have all decided plunking the likes of Bregman and Jose Altuve is encouraged, that wasn't going to be either player's last beanball. If only all of these pitchers were around today, as they really could have intimidated the Astros when they dug into the box.

5. Walter Johnson

Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson / Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

Johnson, who still holds MLB records to this day dating back to his time with the Washington Senators, was throwing sidearm with a heavier ball in the 1910s, and he was still lobbing baseballs unbelievably fast for his day. "The Big Train" was one of the most feared pitchers of his day, and you better believe he would have sent a high and tight fastball Bregman's way if he dug in against him.

4. Randy Johnson

Arizona Diamondbacks superstar Randy Johnson / Mike Fiala/Getty Images

Not only could Johnson (in his prime) throw 100 MPH heat from the left side with pinpoint accuracy, but he featured a hard, upper 80s slider that looked like it started in the home dugout and ended up on the inside corner of the strike zone. Johnson also had a penchant for sending one of his heaters into the opposing batters box to let the hitter know who was controlling this at-bat. The current Astros would have needed to wear full body armor against Johnson.

3. Nolan Ryan

The Ryan Express would go right after Bregman / Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Ryan might have worked for the Astros for 2014-2019, but the hardest thrower and greatest strikeout artist the game has ever seen doesn't take too kindly to cheating, and he would have no qualms about sending one of his blazing fastballs into Bregman's back. A quick word of advice for any Astro who thinks they could take him one -- remember Robin Ventura against an old and gray Ryan. Don't be a hero.

2. Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman will likely have a little present for Alex Bregman when he faces him next / Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Yankees' 2019 season ended in heartbreak after Altuve launched a pennant-winning home run off of Chapman in the ALCS. While he doesn't touch 105 MPH as frequently as he did in his Cincinnati Reds days, Chapman still comfortably sits in the triple digits, and he isn't above piping a fastball near the inside part of the plate. Given the added motivation he has against the Astros for what they did to him in 2019, Bregman and his teammates can expect a triple digit gift from the Cuban Missle if they ever face off.

1. Mike Fiers

Mike Fiers' next start against the Astros will be appointment TV / Bob Levey/Getty Images

When Fiers makes his first start against the Astros, be it in Oakland or in Houston, the stage is going to be set for one of the most dramatic nights in recent baseball history. The brave Fiers, who blew the whistle and detailed the Astros' nefarious ways over the last few years, has a target painted on his back, and Astros fans and players aren't going easy on him. Baseball is short on moments that would dominate social media on any given night, but Fiers throwing at any Astros star from that team would be one of them.