Here’s a look at what some of the key figures had to say after the game.

The brawl stemmed from an incident in the third inning when Austin slid late into second base and his spikes caught Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt, who had leaned away from the base after receiving the throw from third baseman Rafael Devers.

A new chapter was added to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry Wednesday night when the two teams were involved in a benches-clearing brawl after reliever Joe Kelly drilled Yankees designated hitter Tyler Austin in the back with a fastball in the seventh inning.


Tyler Austin, Yankees designated hitter

On the slide — “‘I thought there was absolutely nothing wrong with that slide. I had no thought that they were going to throw at me.’’

On the brawl — “I felt like it was intentional, and I didn’t want to let anybody push myself around or do anything like that. That’s why I went out there.”

Joe Kelly, Red Sox pitcher

On the brawl — “I threw a pitch inside and hit him. It was one of those that got away. The umpire said, ‘Take your base,’ and other things went down.’’

On being charged by Austin – “I was ready to defend myself. Someone comes on my property, in my backyard, I have two dogs . . . If I’m getting attacked I have to defend myself.”

On fighting Austin – “I’m a little sore.”

Brock Holt, Red Sox shortstop

On the slide — “He spiked my leg. He cut it pretty good. I probably said something I shouldn’t have to start the whole thing, so I’m sorry for that. I just wanted him to know that it was a bad slide, and I think everyone on the field knows that it was.”

On the fight — “It happened. Typical Red Sox-Yankee game. A four-hour game, a couple of brawls, we’re right on track.’’


“As soon as I saw [Aaron] Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton coming, I started backing up. I grabbed (flyweight) Ronald Torreyes.’’

On possible retaliation Thursday – “If I get hit I’ll take my base. Hopefully we don’t fight anymore.”

Other key figures/voices

Christian Vazquez, Red Sox catcher, on further retaliation — “The clubhouse is our home. Let’s protect our home. There will be something soon — if not this series, maybe in New York.”

Alex Cora, Red Sox manager, on Austin’s slide — “He overslid it and the spikes were up. Different rules now from back in the day. Holt took exception.”

Aaron Judge, Yankees right fielder, on his role in the brawl — “I saw Kelly was on top of Tyler after he tried to tackle him. My job is to just get Kelly up and get him off. That’s about it.

“No one ever likes to get hit with 98 (m.p.h.) in the back.”

Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees left fielder, on playing peacemaker — “In a fight, in a brawl like that you could have a bunch of guys swinging, you could have guys picking guys out cheap-shoting. Yeah, we’re a good presence but we’ve still got to have eyes in the back of our heads right there.”

Aaron Boone, Yankees manager, on Austin’s slide — “To construe that as a dirty play or that you’d be offended by that, I don’t buy that at all.”

Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager, on the brawl – “There was no reason for fisticuffs to have to happen based on that slide at second base.”


Jerry Remy, Red Sox broadcaster, on baseball’s slide rule – “I didn’t think it was a dirty slide. But under the new rules, they are accustomed to not being touched. This wasn’t brutal. But under today’s stupid rules, I guess it could be considered a double play.’’

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