In a wild 2006 Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and White Sox, things boiled over after a hard but legal play at home plate. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski tagged up and barreled into Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, knocking him over and banging the plate. The collision followed the rule at the time, which allowed catchers to be hit if they were blocking the plate. Pierzynski slapped the plate, picked up his helmet, and gave Barrett a quick look like he was ready to move on. But Barrett wasn’t. Instead, he stood up and blasted Pierzynski in the face with a right hook, triggering an all-out brawl between the two teams.
Scott Podsednik came charging in, wrapped up Barrett, and took him to the ground. Rich Hill, who was pitching for the Cubs, was in the middle of it but tried to stay out of trouble. Meanwhile, Brian Anderson of the White Sox stormed in and swung at Barrett, missed, then got tangled with Cubs teammate John Mabry. Anderson ended up throwing Mabry down, and reportedly cracked or bruised his ribs during the scuffle. The field turned chaotic with players and coaches charging in. Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild pulled Barrett out of the mess as it finally settled down.
Through all of it, Pierzynski brushed it off, played to the crowd, and got back behind the plate like nothing happened. That moment became one of the defining images of the rivalry. A legal hit, a surprise punch, and a full team melee—classic Cubs vs. Sox chaos.