'The Fight'

 OK, let me start by saying that with all problems this country has from needless violence to social issues to environmental issues, a baseball fight should rank below any animal species that went extinct in the past month.  A fight in a GAME, when we all teach our kids that it is just a game.  This should not be news nor should it take away from talk about any of the important issues in today's world...but it is.  Sad commentary on the 'sensationalist culture' that is never-ending, it seems.  So let's tell our kids the truth.  This was just a couple of guys who should solve problems with their words and not with their fists.

That being said, here are my thoughts:

• After watching numerous angles of the video the Chicago White Sox should be in deep crap after this incident
• Anderson three at least 3 punches before Ramirez landed his.  Then, he kept trying to come back to get one more shot at Ramirez.  Now I can't tell you what Anderson was thinking, it appeared to me like he had his manhood had been bruised by Ramirez's one punch after Anderson had thrown 3 punches that did not impact Ramirez, or so it appeared, with the last coming when Ramirez was being restrained (more on this later).  The fact that Anderson kept trying to get at Ramirez, including coming back onto the field after be wrestled into the dugout the first time,  should lead to a huge fine and suspension and his post-game remarks, if any, should factor into that.  The fact that this is not Anderson's first fight or suspension should weigh into this, as well.  I am not saying this because I am trying to be judge and jury against Anderson.  Just saying it because that is how I feel and MLB should know how fans feel about this.
• Ramirez should be fined and suspended as he instigated the incident, but if you look at his reaction and the look on his face after he hit Anderson, it doesn't look like he is wanting to instigate more conflict.  Add that to the fact that Ramirez is NOT an instigator and is generally held in good esteem by teammates and competitors, he should not be fined and should be suspended much less than Anderson.
• Pedro Gifol is right, the MLB has its work cut out for it on this one.  Some thoughts:
• Kopech, needs to be suspended and fined.  All you have to do is look at him getting Ramirez in a choke hold while Anderson delivered his 3rd punch.  You don't see him trying to restrain Anderson. 
• Anderson's teammates in the vicinity who just stood there and did not stop Anderson BEFORE he delivered his punches need to all be fined.  It is not right that those guys only tried to restrain Anderson AFTER he got decked, not while he was delivering his own punches.  
• Grifol and Francona need to both be fined and suspended.  Grifol was much more of an instigator than Francona on this one, he instigated a confrontation with Sarbaugh and his indignant stance on this whole issue should be dealt with by him having a stiffer fine and longer suspension than Francona.  That being said, Francona will likely be fined for each of his other two ejections recently so the net-net should make their penalties appear similar.  Plus neither were actually trying to be peacemakers on this one.  Hey, Grifol, there is sticking up for your players but look at the reaction across the internet, including your own fans, for gosh sakes.  Your guy was wrong, his teammates were wrong and your behavior was second only to Anderson's as being the most inappropriate in this incident.
• I have no idea what Clase was up in arms about but when you are not a principal in an incident like this and your teammates have to restrain you, then your behavior needs to be closely scrutinized.   If no one else caused it by actions against you then, sir, you are essentially screwed and you need to apologize and take your penalty, whatever that is.
• I assume that Eloy Jimenez was just spiked or something and that was the cause of his rage against the dugout padding.  Agan, if someone intentionally did something to him, that person needs to be punished.
• Obviously if Sarbaugh was ejected he has to at least be fined.  MLB should find out what was said between him and Grifol and who instigated that confrontation.

Look, this fight is a black eye for both organizations, each of which have had a disappointing season.  As a Guardians' fan I think there is fault to go around, not the least of which is frustration on how we and the Sox white-flagged this season.  I wish it wouldn't have happened and I hope all those involved, including the managers for not doing more to diffuse the situation early, apologize to everyone tomorrow.

That being said, my final thought is how this umpiring crew and their ineptitude were at least somewhat responsible for the events that led to this incident.  MLB should do all their investigation while leaving the umpires out of it.  Talk to players and coaches, talk to media people near the field, heck, get lip-reading experts if you want.  But this umpiring crew was part of the problem and needs not to be part of the penalties as they were anything but part of what needlessly became a bigger incident than it should have been.