The Washington Nationals' season keeps getting worse. Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon capped off the team's disappointing campaign on Sunday with a brawl in the dugout, which brings back some memories of other senseless fights between teammates.
We'll kick off our "Top Five Worst MLB Brawls" with Harper and Papelbon because, believe it or not, the four that follow are arguably even more ridiculous.
5. Jonathan Papelbon vs. Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals, 2015)
The argument between Papelbon and Harper sparked after Harper failed to run out a fly ball. The lack of effort on behalf of the NL MVP candidate did not sit well with the veteran closer, so Papelbon took matters into his own hands and told Harper how he felt. And then grabbed him by the throat.
4. Carlos Zambrano vs. Michael Barrett (Chicago Cubs, 2007)
Zambrano's most revealing characteristic was his short temper. He'd been involved in many arguments, ejections and lapses in judgment, including this altercation with Barrett in the Cubs' dugout. The right-hander was not happy that Barrett made a couple of errors in the previous inning and gave him a piece of his mind - and fist.
Barrett needed stitches in his lip after the fight spilled into the team's clubhouse.
"It's about time some of them start playing like major leaguers," manager Lou Piniella said at the time.
It's even better this video is in Spanish.
3. Matt Garza vs. Dioner Navarro (Tampa Bay Rays, 2008)
The pitcher/catcher relationship can be a complicated one, especially if the two aren't on the same page. That's what happened with Garza and Navarro when the two were playing for the Rays.
After Garza surrendered a home run, Navarro ran out to the mound and got in the right-hander's face, likely regarding the pitch selection. After the inning, the argument continued in the dugout and a fight spilled into the clubhouse.
2. Darryl Strawberry vs. Keith Hernandez (New York Mets, 1989)
You'd think Team Photo Day would be a calm gathering, but not for the 1989 Mets. Strawberry was apparently upset that Hernandez didn't side with him during Stawberry's contract dispute with the team, and he used Team Photo Day to express his unsettled anger with his teammate.
1. Lou Piniella vs. Rob Dibble (Cincinnati Reds, 1992)
There's almost nothing better than a heated situation involving Piniella. We've seen him scream at umpires, players and reporters, kick dirt and throw hats, but this incident is perhaps the most outlandish.
Here's a rare behind-the-scenes look at an altercation in the clubhouse when he was managing the Reds in 1992. Piniella and pitcher Rob Dibble got into a fight after a game with reporters, players and cameramen on hand.
WARNING: This video contains explicit language.
