Revisiting Richie Sexson Going Insane and Starting Mariners-Rangers Brawl Back in 2008

While hitting a player in relation for an earlier beaning is the cause for some of the biggest brawls in MLB history, one of the most memorable since the turn of the century was set off by a pitcher throwing SOMEWHAT NEAR a disgruntled batter without even plunking him. Seattle Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson took exception to a high fastball from Texas Rangers pitcher Kason Gabbard, and the ensuing melee was one of the most violent of the entire decade.

Sexson's helmet throw was much more deadly than Bryce Harper's when he tried to hit Hunter Strickland.

Imagine what Gabbard must have been thinking. He didn't even hit Sexson, and yet the 6-7 first baseman started charging at him. Sexson, who claimed that he "had a lot going on in his head" at the time, was suspended five games for his behavior. In the last year of a four-year contract, Sexson was released just two months later.

While many people think of this ugly incident when Sexson's name is mentioned, plenty remember the former All-Star who hit 306 career home runs during his tenures with the Mariners, Brewers, Indians, and Diamondbacks, as one of the mots underrated slugging first baseman of his day.

Sexson might not have had the best end to his tenure in Seattle, considering throwing your helmet at and tackling an opposing pitcher is never a good look, but the M's have yet to find a first baseman who has produced at the clip Sexson did since they let him go.