Wikipedia:April Fools/April Fools' Day 2024/Down Goes Anderson

Tim Anderson vs. José Ramírez, known as Down Goes Anderson, was an amateur boxing match in Cleveland, Ohio contested on August 5, 2023, for the rights to the ownership of the fighters' respective franchises, the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians.

Background
The day before the fight, the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians began a threegame series at Progressive Field. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio hit a leadoff single and attempted to take second base. White Sox right fielder Trayce Thompson misplayed the ball, but quickly recovered to make a throw to second base. Rocchio slid and successfully beat the tag made by Anderson, but Anderson moved Rocchio's hand off the bag. Rocchio was called safe on the field, but was ruled out upon review despite Anderson's move being illegal. Guardians manager Terry Francona promptly argued the call and was ejected from the game, and this caused the Guardians as a whole to be agitated towards Anderson. The next night, the White Sox and Guardians played again. At the time of the fight, the game was in the bottom of the sixth inning with the visiting White Sox ahead 5–0. Anderson started the game for the White Sox at shortstop, and Ramírez played third base for the Guardians. At the time Ramírez was due up to bat for his third atbat of the game, the Guardians had a runner on second (Andrés Giménez) and one out.

The fight
With the count even at two balls and two strikes, White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech threw a changeup in the middle of the strike zone. Ramírez hit the ball hard to the right, and it barely stayed fair past the infield. Giménez scored and Ramírez, like Rocchio had the day before, attempted to go for second base. Anderson positioned himself right above second base, forcing Ramírez to slide underneath him as he beat the throw and the tag. At this point, Ramírez had had enough of Anderson. Ramírez looked up and raised his hand as to ask what Anderson's problem was. Then, Ramírez got up and pointed in Anderson's face, and second base umpire Malachi Moore got in between them. The argument quickly became heated, and Anderson proceeded to drop his fielding glove, indicating that he wanted to fight. Moore got out of the way, and both fighters got into their stances. Both benches emptied out as players tried to break the fighters up, but only Kopech was close enough to briefly hold back Ramírez. Anderson was the aggressor early on, throwing two right handed punches, both of which missed the ducking Ramírez. Ramírez, using his trademark wild style of fighting, landed a sidearm right handed body shot to the ribs of Ramírez. While ducking the second punch of Anderson, Ramírez prepared for his next punch. Using the same sidearm motion as the first punch, he swung again at Anderson. This time, the punch hit Anderson square in the jaw, and Anderson fell down as the rest of the benches arrived at the scene. The most wellknown call comes from Guardians radio announcer Tom Hamilton, who exclaimed "Down Goes Anderson!", emulating the style used by boxing broadcaster Howard Cosell in 1973 as George Foreman knocked down Joe Frazier:

Aftermath
The overall conflict lasted over five minutes as multiple players and coaches continued arguing after the fight. A dazed Anderson struggled to stand up straight as he tried to get back to Ramírez. White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn had to partially pick him up and hold him back from being hurt anymore. Anderson eventually was forced back into the dugout, but Guardians bench coach DeMarlo Hale and White Sox manager Pedro Grifol started arguing as this was happening, and everyone converged again around the pitcher's mound. Guardians third base coach Mike Sarbaugh started to charge at Grifol, moving everyone near the first base dugout. While most were trying to control the brawl, Kopech and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase were trying to fight one another, so they too were each held back by multiple teammates. Anderson tried one more time to escape the dugout and rejoin the fray, but the White Sox quickly held him back, and Anderson's involvement ended with Vaughn picking him up and carrying him back into the dugout.

Effects
In what was described as a "subplot" by White Sox announcer Jason Benetti, White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez appeared to hurt his leg in the fracas, as he limped back to the dugout and slammed his hand in anger on the dugout gate. However, he remained in the game.

In total, there were six ejections, two from the White Sox and four from the Guardians: Anderson, Clase, Francona, Grifol, Ramírez, and Sarbaugh. All ejected players were also suspended for a game each apart from Anderson and Ramírez, who initially were given six and three game suspensions before being reduced to five and two upon appeal. Guardians infielder José Tena replaced Ramírez as the runner on second base, making his MLB debut in the process.