Nobody ever said, "I went to a fight and a baseball game broke out."

Well, they might have, but then they haven't seen many fights.

The problem with baseball fights is that they rarely involve any true fighting. A lot of yelling, yes. Bear hugs there are many. Punches? Well, there are generally a few, but they rarely land and when they do, they are as likely to hurt the punchee as the puncher.

Still, there are a number of fights and near-fights that remain in our collective memories as perhaps not the national pastimes more glorious moments, but perhaps some of its more human moments.

5. Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin (or was it the other way around)

Nobody every questioned the toughness of Billy Martin. He had a reputation for going toe-to-toe with anyone and everyone, even his own players - just ask the Minnesota Twins' Dave Boswell about that one.

But his most famous fight ended up not even really happening. It was one of baseball's many "hold me back" kind of moments, but it was perhaps the most famous of them all.

In August of one of the storied baseball team's most memorable runs, the 1977 season, Martin nearly came to blows with superstar outfielder Reggie Jackson. Incensed that Jackson had failed to chase down a single by Boston's Jim Rice, Martin pulled Jackson from the game mid-inning. When Jackson got back to the dugout, fans nationwide (via TV) got to see a late summer fireworks display as the two had to be restrained from scrapping in front of the world.

4. Yankees vs. the Senators and a few hundred angry, bat wielding fans

This Time magazine article from 1938 shows that the basebrawl is no new phenomenon privy only to the over indulged, over protective superstars of today's game.

This incredible melee featured not only both teams' full rosters, but they also included private detectives, uniformed police officers and hundreds of angry fans who picked up unguarded baseball bats and began pummeling the objects of their derision.

Perhaps the best line in this magazine story, though, is that the writer notes how baseball fights are largely considered a thing of the past because there were fewer "yokels" in the game compared to the games early years.

3. Ty Cobb vs. the digit-lacking baseball fanatic Claude Lueker

This altercation is legendary on so many levels. First off, for the volatile Cobb, no single incident better sums up his flashpoint temper than that day in May 1912 when he charged a wicked heckler Claude Leuker in New York.

Nevermind that Lueker had been crippled by an industrial accident in which he had lost a hand and three fingers - Cobb could stands all that he could stands and he couldn't stands no more.

Just as surprising as the sudden act of brutality on a fan was his Tiger teammates reaction to league action against Cobb, which was an indefinite suspension. His fellow Detroit teammates launched baseball's first strike.

In turn, that lead to professional sports' first replacement players team, which, in turn, led to the worst pitching performance in Major League Baseball history, handed in by student seminarian Al Travers. Tavers gave up 26 hits and 24 earned runs in his one and only Major League performance. Both remain all-time league records for futility.

Cobb was so upset with the 24-2 loss at the hands of New York that he was able to persuade his teammates to return to work. In turn, league president Ban Johnson reduced the indefinite suspension to 10 games and a $50 fine.

2. Juan Marichal goes batty

In one of baseball's most disturbing moments, San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal pummeled Los Angeles Dodger catcher John Roseboro with a baseball bat.

In the heat of a pennant race and in a game in which Marichal had already hit a Dodger batter, Roseboro was trying to get into Marichal's head by whizzing the ball back to the mound only inches from the Giants' pitcher's ear.

Marichal turned to confront Roseboro, and the catcher removed his mask, a move Marichal took as threatening. The Giant pitcher quickly landed two blows with the bat across Roseboro's skull, and full-scale riot broke out for the next 15 minutes.

Roseboro ended up OK after the incident. Marichal got a nine day suspension and a hefty fine.

1. Old Man Ryan pummels that punk Ventura

This is almost everyone's favorite beatdown not only in baseball, but perhaps in all of sports.

On August 4, 1993, as the venerable and revered Nolan Ryan wound down his Hall of Fame career, he was among the most unlikely players to get embroiled in one of the most memorable basebrawls of all time.

When the Texas Rangers fastballer plunked New York Yankees third baseman Robin Ventura in the back, the most anyone expected would be exchanged was a few short words.

But the 26-year-old Ventura threw down his bat in disgust and charged the mound. Ryan, who had seen his share of about everything over his near quarter century in the game, didn't back down.

In fact, as Ventura arrived at the mound, the strapping Ryan surprised Ventura by putting him in a headlock. He then proceeded to beat on his noggin like a school yard bully until the benches clear and appropriate mayhem ensued, giving geezers the highlight of a lifetime in which to relish.