Matt Barnes knocked around by Derek Fisher
Matt Barnes couldn’t hold off Derek Fisher any longer.
After working a 1-1 count in the seventh inning, the Red Sox reliever hung a curveball to the Astros outfielder who dropped it softly into left field. And though the game was long decided — Houston won 12-2 — it was a moment sports fans celebrated like a walk-off grand slam.
Let us explain: back in 2015 then-Knicks coach, and former NBA player, Derek Fisher was dating the estranged wife of NBA player Matt Barnes. When Barnes found out about this he reportedly drove 95 miles to confront the couple where an altercation broke out.
The incident immediately became pop culture lore, even working its way into Kanye West’s song “30 Hours”. So you can imagine how Sports Twitter would light up at seeing baseball’s Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher face each other.
This is happening. Matt Barnes pitching. On deck… Derek Fisher pic.twitter.com/mItRApgpiN
— Matt Brannon (@matt_gravityd) September 29, 2017
Barnes should have drilled him out of respect for other Matt Barnes https://t.co/apex8lUfSR
— sam esfandiari (@samesfandiari) September 29, 2017
Derek Fisher just hit Matt Barnes. Even baseball is ready for NBA. pic.twitter.com/sJz3k6C2Bf
— Gundacker (@GundackerSports) September 29, 2017
If this Derek Fisher has an affair with Matt Barnes' wife, I'm retiring from sports media effective immediately
— Chris Demirdjian (@ChrisDemirdjian) September 29, 2017
Give A.J. Hinch Manager of the Year for making Derek Fisher vs. Matt Barnes a reality pic.twitter.com/AcwYMxDWat
— Darren Hartwell (@darren_hartwell) September 29, 2017
Derek Fisher has defeated Matt Barnes.
— Astros Rants (@AstrosRants) September 29, 2017
I’m at the Sox/Astros and honestly the highlight is seeing the matchup of Matt Barnes vs. Derek Fisher
— Pat Bowlby (@producepat) September 29, 2017
This is peak garbage time baseball. And it’s perfect timing with NBA season gearing up — which, by the way, our friends over at Ball Don’t Lie and The Vertical do an incredible job covering.
The Red Sox and Astros will likely have to face each other this postseason. If they do, we sincerely hope Matt Barnes gets another chance at punching Fisher out.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
