The history of brawling New York teammates is a long one, with bouts including Jorge Posada-Orlando Hernandez (2002), Darryl Strawberry-Keith Hernandez (1989, on team picture day) and even Billy Martin-Ed Whitson (1985).
The sucker punching of Geno Smith stands out for two reasons. Most fights between teammates do little lasting harm, but Smith is out 6 to 10 weeks after taking a punch to the jaw from Ikemefuna Enemkpali. And Smith is a crucial player for his team, brought down by a reserve.
The most similar New York incident came — where else — in the dysfunctional 1970s Yankees clubhouse.