David Ortiz and 5 Players Most Likely to Start a Brawl

Everyone loves a good “basebrawl,” especially between bitter rivals.

Baseball is a game where teammates protect each other. If someone from one team gets hit, it’s pretty likely that the other team will retaliate.

There are a few guys that you would definitely want on your side during a brawl. There are also some guys in the league that are known to be instigators.

Here are five players that are most likely to start a brawl (with video of course).

Please include links in the comments section to other brawls and players who are known to be fighters.

5. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

Despite his great talent on the field, Alex Rodriguez is the king of instigators.

His antics on and off the field often warrant a beaning.

He yelled while running the bases on a pop-up in Toronto and blatantly crossed the pitcher’s mound in front of Dallas Braden in Oakland.

This sense of entitlement usually infuriates teams.

Though he himself tries to keep it cool, he’s likely to start a brawl since everyone else wants a piece of him.

Enjoy this classic fight between A-Rod and Jason Varitek from 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston.

4. Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians

Fausto Carmona is a talented pitcher; don’t get me wrong.

But he’s developed quite the reputation of being a headhunter.

Hitting a guy in the back or the leg for retaliation is one thing, but aiming for a guy’s head can permanently injure another player.

Carmona once threw at Gary Sheffield, which sparked a brawl, and earlier this year (as this clip from the aftermath shows) he threw directly at Mark Teixeira’s head.

Sheffield and Teixeira aren’t exactly guys pitchers should be messing with.

3. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs

The worst thing about Carlos Zambrano is that his temper is so outrageous that his own teammates need to be fearful.

In addition to yelling at members of other teams, he has fought with Chicago Cubs players in the dugout (as this clip shows).

His volatile personality makes him fly off the handle rather quickly, despite trying to address his anger issues on numerous occasions.

Watch out when things aren’t going this guy’s way.

2. Nyjer Morgan, Milwaukee Brewers

You would think that a little guy like Nyjer Morgan would pretty much keep to himself.

However, Morgan has a hockey player mentality that he brings to baseball.

Last year, he received an eight-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl against the Florida Marlins (seen here).

Watch Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez absolutely deck Morgan after the initial scrum with Chris Volstad.

Yelling to the crowd after the fight didn’t help his cause either.

While some players appreciate his energy, others find it over the top.

1. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz doesn’t take anything from anybody, as witnessed in his recent brawl with Baltimore Orioles closer Kevin Gregg.

Though his fighting skills need some work, he’ll not only be the first to spark a brawl, but he’ll also be the first to protect his teammates.

Since he’s known for his bat flips after hitting home runs, other teams usually are after his blood.

The problem is that he’s the size of a freight train and has 24 crazy, passionate teammates just like him.

Not too many people mess with "Big Papi," but he’s still one of the more likely players to start a brawl.