On May 16, 2000, a Cubs-Dodgers game at Wrigley Field turned chaotic in the ninth inning after an on-field prank set off a brawl between fans and players. Chicago was trying to rally after being down most of the game, and tensions were already high. That’s when Josh Pulliam, a 27-year-old sitting in premium seats, decided to reach over the wall and swipe a Dodgers catcher’s hat. What he called a stupid prank quickly escalated when several members of the Dodgers bullpen rushed into the stands.
The scene got messy fast. No clear footage exists, but a crowd of players and fans started scrapping in the bleachers. One fan, Ronald Camacho, ended up caught in the middle. Though it’s unclear if he did anything wrong, he was tackled, identified as the main instigator, and spent the night in jail. Later, he sued both teams and walked away with a $775,000 settlement. Pulliam, the guy who started the whole thing, didn’t face any charges or penalties.
As the fight disrupted the game, other fans joined in by throwing drinks and trash onto the field. The Cubs, who had momentum during their ninth-inning rally, saw the comeback fall apart. The Dodgers escaped with the win. The whole incident raised questions about fan behavior, stadium security, and whether the key people involved knew each other all along.