This day in NY sports history: Sept. 6, 1953

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Sunday, Sept. 6, 1953

Furillo chokes Durocher

Leading the National League in batting with a .344 average, Brooklyn rightfielder Carl Furillo proved what he could do with a bat in his grip. In the top of the second inning against the rival Giants, New York manager Leo Durocher's neck got a taste of what it was like to be the bat. Furillo was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning by starter Rubén Gómez and Furillo thought there was intention to the pitch. For one thing, Durocher and Furillo had had a feud brewing for years. Durocher had previously served as Dodgers manager and benched Furillo for an extended amount of time during spring training before he was fired. Also, Durocher supposedly ordered Gómez to "stick it in his ear." Furillo walked to first base, but, with a 3-2 count on the next hitter, he charged Durocher in the dugout, choking him. In the ensuing scuffle, Furillo was stepped on, breaking a finger and ending his season. The Dodgers fared a bit better, winning the game 6-3.