Reds-Cardinals Brawl: The 10 Best Sports Fights Ever

Brandon Phillips let the Cardinals know what he thought about them the night before the game, so this could probably be filed under "You Knew It Was Coming."

Phillips, trying to defuse the situation by tapping Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina as he entered the batter's box, did nothing but make the situation worse.

In an interview with Fox Sports after the game, Molina summed everything up:

"He talked bad about my team, he talked bad about me...Don't talk bad and come up and say 'hi' to me. That's stupid."

I would have to agree.

So here is that fight and a few others you might not know about as we countdown the most legendary brawls we've seen in pro sports:

10. Celtics Vs. Sixers: 1981 Eastern Conference Finals

Boston Celtics forward Cedric Maxwell had a pretty good year in 1981. His team won the NBA title and, even though he was surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber talent (Tiny Archibald, Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale), he was named the NBA Finals MVP.

What could make it better?

The fact that he was allowed to play in the Finals despite getting into an Artest-like fight in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Sixers.

Ahh, the good old days...

9. Reds Vs. Cardinals: 2010

Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa don't seem too fond of each other. Although Brandon Phillips ignited the brawl with his quotes the night before, it was the two managers that kept it going by yelling at each other.

Phillips was quoted as saying: "I hate the Cardinals. All they do is [expletive] and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little [expletive], all of ‘em."

Sounds like fighting words to me.

8. Detroit Red Wings Vs. Colorado Avalanche: 1997

This fight was so bad it got nicknames: "Bloody Wednesday" aka "Brawl in Hockeytown".

The word is that it started a year earlier when Claude Lemieux took a shot at Chris Draper.

Even goalies got involved.

7. University of Miami Vs. Florida International: 2007

This was another one of those fights that you could see coming.

FIU was in its second year in Division I, so they were looking to establish themselves against a superstar program with a reputation for being brash.

The game was filled with penalties and trash talk, as most of the players knew each other from playing locally in high school.

And then things got out of hand.

After Miami scored to go up 13-0, punches were allegedly thrown after the PAT.

When all was said and done, eight FIU and five Miami players were ejected for fighting.

6. Boston Bruins Vs. New York Rangers: 1979

For some reason, Boston sports teams have had no qualms about going into the stands to handle business back in the day.

The short version goes like this: as a players-only fight was going on, a Rangers fan reached over the glass and punched a Bruins player in the face.

The player, Stan Jonathan, swung his stick at the fan, but the fan grabbed the stick.

Bruins legend Terry O'Reilly decided he had seen enough and went into the stands, followed by his team.

Chaos commenced.

5. Riddick Bowe Vs. Andrew Golota: 1996

To understand this fight, you have to watch it.

You have to see Andrew Golota inexplicably continue to pummel Bowe in his private regions.

He can't stop himself, like a moth to a flame.

You have to see one of Riddick Bowe's cornermen bash his walkie-talkie on Golota's head.

Fun times.

4. Ron Artest Vs. Detroit Pistons Fans: 2004

Not much to say about this one except that, despite its reputation, there have been worse fights. Hence, the reason it's not No. 1.

Everyone forgets Stephen Jackson played a major role in this, too.

Anyway, Ron Ron is a champ now, so there!

3. Red Sox Vs. Yankees: 2003 ALCS

This should just be called the Pedro vs. Don Zimmer fight.

Not to excuse Pedro's actions, but people forget that Zimmer outweighed Martinez and built up a full head of steam as he charged the diminutive pitcher.

2. Cuban Batter Vs. Cuban Pitcher: 2010

This is the second of the new additions.

Any time a hitter chases a pitcher with his bat in the middle of a game, you have to toss it in there.

1. Kermit Washington Vs. Rudy Tomjanovich: 1977

This fight is No. 1 due to its historical significance:  since it occurred, NBA Commissioner David Stern has cracked down hard on players who fight.

Neither of the participants were ever the same.

No one ever wants this to happen again.