Yankees, Red Sox get physical in 1976

The hot button was pushed on the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on this date in 1976 when the teams engaged in a brawl at Yankee Stadium.

Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee and Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles were ejected. Lee suffered cartilage damage in his shoulder after he was punched by Nettles. New York outfielder Lou Piniella was sent to the hospital for X-rays on his hand. The fight started after Piniella slammed into catcher Carlton Fisk at home.

The Red Sox won 8-2 behind Carl Yastrzemski’s two home runs. The second was his fifth homer in two games.

Here are some other memorable games and outstanding sports performances on this date:

1900 — The second modern Summer Olympics opens in Paris. Nearly 1,000 athletes from 24 nations participate. Archery, soccer and equestrian are among the sports introduced. U.S. athletes win 17 of the 23 track-and-field events, and French competitors earn more than 100 medals.

2006 — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro breaks down at the start of the Preakness Stakes, fracturing three bones in his right hind leg and ending any chance at a Triple Crown and his career. Bernardini wins the race by 51⁄4 lengths.