Rule #1: YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!

Last night, the Yankees and Blue Jays engaged in a bench-clearing brawl. Unlike most times the benches clear in the MLB, they didn't just stand around, as there was an actual scuffle. It was apparent on TV that some of the involved, including manager Joe Girardi, had some cuts and bruises. Girardi, in an interview with Mike Francesa a little while ago, said that he was struck on the side of the head, but not by the Blue Jays' John McDonald (who he accidentally called Mike McDonald) as had been reported, but by one of his own players, though he didn't mention which one.

This was all ignited by Jorge Posada. After Mark Melancon hit Aaron Hill, Jess Carlson threw behind Posada. Jorge stepped towards Carlson, clearly saying, "You don't want to do that," while shaking his head. After reaching base, Posada ended up scoring on a single. As Carlson was backing up home, Posada bumped into him.

You can say what you want about Carlson being where he was, which was out of position. He was there, but that didn't mean Posada didn't need to hit him.

It was a cheap shot. I know it's hard for Yankees fans and Hip, Hip Jorge! fans, as I am, to hear, but it's true. Umpire Jim Joyce called it "very unsportsmanlike" and I'm inclined to agree with him. Posada does so much charity work off the field and has shown better values than this before. In short, he's better than this.

There are times when a fight can spark a team that's down. Think about the Red Sox in 2004. The A-Rod-Varitek fight (speaking of cheap shots by catchers) happened, and Boston bonded together and went on to win the World Series that year.

But this team doesn't need a spark. They aren't down on their luck. They are 5.5 games up in the division, and have a magic number of 12 until they clinch the AL East title. This team is well on it's way to the playoffs and has an excellent chance to make a run at the World Series. If anything, this fight could be a detriment to the team. It's September 16. If someone gets seriously injured (broken bone, pulled muscle, etc.) they could possibly miss some or all of the playoffs. When you see CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte (who is already skipping a start because of a sore shoulder) pulling people off of the pile, you've got to cringe.

It's one thing for Shelley Duncan (who I would obviously want on my side in a fight) to be out there, but when Jeter, Damon and A-Rod are in the middle of it, it could be a huge problem. And you cannot say, "Oh, well those guys should know not to get in the middle of it so they don't get hurt." You have to realize that these guys are a team, and those top guys aren't going to stand on the sidelines because they (especially A-Rod) need to prove to the other guys on the team that they have their teammates backs.

It's not usual in sports where you can blame one person without an argument( like Bills fans are trying to do with Leodis McKelvin), but this is the case here. All Posada did was put his head down and run by Carlson, the situation would have been over right there. Even if had said something to him quietly as he ran by, the situation probably wouldn't have escalated like it did. But because he initiated the contact, it turned into a brawl.

In the time it took for me to write this, the NY Daily News reported that Posada was suspended 4 games with a $3,000 fine. Carlson received the same suspension. I believe that Posada was lucky only getting four games, considering some of the weird suspensions Bob Watson has handed out in the past.

Here's a video of the fight, in case you missed it, or wanted to catch it again. It looks like someone took video of the TV, so the quality isn't great, but it's the only option.

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