Revisiting When Johnny Cueto Kicked Jason LaRue in the Head in Wild Cardinals-Reds Brawl

As much as baseball fans love the adrenaline rush that materializes during bench-clearing brawls, they probably don't recognize the potential ramifications these sort of free-for-alls exude. The risk of injury obviously skyrockets, and that was the unfortunate end result of a wild August 2010 scuffle between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.

What started as a verbal exchange at home plate between Cards catcher Yadier Molina and Cincy second baseman Brandon Phillips quickly morphed into one of the ugliest brawls of the last decade. The two-team melee was capped by Reds hurler Johnny Cueto getting pinned against the backstop by the horde of players. Since the right-hander's arms weren't available as weapons -- they were being used to hold him up -- Cueto proceeded to kick St. Louis catcher Jason LaRue in the head.

As thrilling as this might have been to watch unfold, this brawl ended the career of LaRue, who retired from baseball almost a month after the fight due to concussion-related complications.

Shortly after the five-year anniversary of the fracas, LaRue revealed in an eye-opening interview that he was still suffering from concussion symptoms.

Not all brawls end with a few highlight reel headlocks and everybody walking away unscathed. LaRue's career paid the price for a few hot-heads failing to keep their emotions at bay.