"We're not going to back off from anybody," Showalter said. "We're not going to let people do some of the things that were done here."

It took a few minutes for the dozens of bodies to be separated and Danny Tartabull, Mel Hall and Steve Farr took turns trying to calm a very hot Showalter. Don Mattingly and La Russa also had a few words before both managers were ejected.

The Yankees expressed satisfaction with Showalter's actions after the game, saying Oakland had intimidated them in the past and it was time to curtail the practice. The Athletics have won 31 of their last 42 games with the Yankees, including 16 in a row at one point.

"They have been successful in not only intimidating us, but a lot of other people," Mattingly said. "They have been known for not being afraid to hit you. You have to defend yourself in that situation."

"You got to pitch inside against them," he added. "If you don't do it, they will kill you."

"That team has lots of big egos and it starts with the manager," Farr said. "I like what Buck did. We needed that."

Caught in a strange situation was Gallego, who was making his Yankee debut after spending six years with the Athletics. He did not know whom to grab, but he knows what to expect from his former club.

"They're a very intimidating team with their size and pitching," he said. "It is the way La Russa manages." A Gash for Showalter