It's been nearly seven years since Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor punched Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista in the face in a May 2016 game between their teams at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Tempers escalated from an incident that occurred months earlier, when Bautista hit a monster three-run home run to give the Blue Jays a late, 6-3 lead over the Rangers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. In celebratory fashion, Bautista chucked his bat. It was a bat flip heard round the world.
Bautista's homer would prove to be the difference, ending the season of the Rangers in a win-or-go-home Game 5, as the Blue Jays advanced to the American League Championship Series.
With the Rangers leading 7-6 in the top of the eighth inning in a May 2016 rematch, Texas relief pitcher Matt Bush hit Bautista with a pitch, likely serving as payback for his over-the-top bat flip.
With Bautista on first base, Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak hit a ground ball to third baseman Adrian Beltre. The Rangers attempted to turn a double play. As Odor caught and fired the ball to first base, Bautista slid hard into the Rangers second baseman.
The two approached each other, and Odor punched Bautista square in the face. Bautista did not however get knocked down to the ground.
"I was pretty surprised," Bautista said. "I mean, obviously, that's the only reason that he got me, and he got me pretty good, so I have to give him that. It takes a little bit bigger man to knock me down."
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