Remembering Mets History (1986) George Foster's Grand Slam Ignites a Ray Knight Mets / Dodgers Brawl

Tuesday May 27, 1986: 35,643 showed up at Shea Stadium as Davey Johnson's first place Mets (28-11) hosted Tom Lasorda's fifth place Los Angeles Dodgers (22-23).

The cocky swaggering Mets were on a three-game winning streak. They were settled in at first place, 4.5 games ahead of the Montreal Expos. 

Ron Darling was undefeated at that point in the season at 5-0. His ERA was up a 4.01 mostly due to a disastrous first start where he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings to the Phillies. Tonight, Darling went up against the Dodgers' Bob Welch (3-3).

Darling had great stuff on this night, pitching a complete game one run, five hitter, walking two & striking out a season high twelve batters. 

On the night Darling struck out Franklin Stubbs three times, Ken Landreaux & Mike Marshall two times each. Six other Dodgers in the lineup that night struck out at least one time, with the exception of Mike Scioscia & Greg Brock.

In the 1st inning, Darling served up a one out HR to Ken Landreaux, giving L.A. a 1-0 lead.

The game remained that way until the home 4th inning. Lenny Dykstra led off the inning with an infield single on a bunt. After Wally Backman grounded into a force play, Keith Hernandez singled on a liner over second base. Gary Carter then hit a sac fly to rightfield, tying up the game, as Dykstra scored.

The game stayed tied at one each into the 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, Len Dykstra led off with a base hit. Wally Backman then doubled to right field bringing in Dykstra with the Mets second run.  

Keith Hernandez & Gary Carter both followed with base hits as Backman scored on Carter's hit with the Mets third run. Danny Heep followed with a base hit to load the bases. 

Dodger manager Tom Lasorda removed Bob Welch & brought in Tom Niedenfuer.

The Mets George Foster came up to bat. Foster had recently fallen out of favor with the Mets players, as well as with the organization & the fans. By this time his days were numbered. Although in this spot, he had the big blow hitting a grand slam HR off Niedenfuer making it 7-1 New York. 

A smiling George Foster came out & took a curtain call for the Shea Faithful.

Trivia: It was Fosters' 13th career grand slam HR tying him with Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner on the all-time list. Foster was now second to Dave Kingman at the time, among active players in grand slams. It was also Foster's 5th HR of the season.

Dodger pitcher Tom Niedenfuer was visibly upset, not moving off the mound with his hands on his
hips. He stared into the Mets dugout, then stood on the mound with his eyes closed. 

 With tempers beginning to rise, Dodger third baseman Bill Madlock came over to try to calm him down. 

Ray Knight stepped in to hit for the Mets & on the very first pitch, Niedenfuer hit Knight on the elbow with a pitch. This was not a wise thing to do in 1986 to the former Golden Glove boxer Ray Knight. 

Knight immediately dropped the bat and charged the mound. Niedenfuer grabbed his legs & threw Knight to the ground. As the two fell to the ground Knight was throwing punches to the pitcher's back, ribs & head. 

Both benches cleared, punches were flying everywhere as the brawling '86 Mets were at it again, living up to their nasty reputation.  

Mets coach Bill Robinson was in the middle of the pile helping to get Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia off Knight as well. Davey Johnson was trying to hold Knight back after the pile had broken up as was home umpire Joe West. Knight was eventually escorted away by Gary Carter & Howard Johnson. 

Dodger manager Tom Lasorda was furious about something & argued with umpires Frank Pulli & Billy Williams.

Order was eventually restored, and no one was ejected, although both players were later fined by the league. Niedenfuer visibly had a swollen eye but stayed in the game to pitch.

After the game, Ray Knight said he had no choice, when he got hit, he had to hit back. 

Quotes- Ray Knight: "If he wants to hit me, fine, I'll do the same thing to him" Knight said.

Quotes- Tom Niedenfuer: ''The pitch to Foster wasn't where I wanted it. The pitch to Knight
wasn't where I wanted it.'' 

 Strangely before the game Dodgers Steve Sax & Greg Brock had a scuffle of their own in the visiting dugout. Tom Niedenfuer led the Dodger teammates breaking it up.

As the inning went on, the Mets got a base hit from Rafael Santana. Then Ron Darling bunted & Niedenfuer threw wildly to first base as all runners were safe. Tommy Lasorda finally removed him from the game at that point.

In the 7th inning, the Mets tacked on a run with a solo HR from Keith Hernandez on a 3-0 count coming off Alejandro Pena who had just returned to the big leagues. Hernandez also took the mandatory 1986 curtain call getting Tommy Lasorda even more angry in the LA dugout.

The Mets went on to an 8-1 win, as Darling was the winning pitcher getting to 6-0 & lowering his ERA to 3.38.

from centerfield: centerfieldmaz at the next night's game as Dwight Gooden beat the Dodgers 4-2. We had great seats, first row on top of the Dodger dugout. When Niedenfuer was brought in the game we really let him have it. The Shea faithful booed & harassed him as well as manager Tommy Lasorda mercifully. It was noticeable that the it was getting to the two. After the game Lasorda complained to the press about the hostile fans.