From the moment Rodriguez stepped onto the field, the boos and jeers seemed to influence Dempster, who appeared to take aim at Rodriguez. Dempster’s first pitch came close to hitting Rodriguez, landing on the outside of his knee. A few pitches later, he threw a fastball that hit A-Rod’s elbow pad and deflected into his back.
Rodriguez stared at Dempster as he was escorted to first base, but never attempted to rush the mound.
Girardi, however sprinted onto the field and began yelling at plate umpire Brian O’Nora. Perhaps in disbelief that Dempster was not ejected for his blatant display, Girardi swung his fist wildly, nearly connecting with O’Nora’s chin.
The benches and bullpens cleared, but the situation was handled before things escalated.
