Tavarez packs a mean right hook... for a pitcher.

One thing you can't deny - Julian Tavarez isn't afraid to throw a right hook, whether it's to the clubhouse phone or to a charging Joey Gathright. Tavarez looked a wee bit like a young Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini as he unloaded on Gathright in March 27th's game against the Devil Rays.

From the Boston Herald:

“It’s the kind of person I am,” said Tavarez, who signed a two-year, $6.7-million contract on Jan. 18...

[On a play at home plate] Tavarez stepped on Gathright’s right forearm and the runner reacted with a shout while pushing the pitcher’s leg off. As he sprang to his feet, however, Tavarez threw a punch that glanced off Gathright’s chin, setting off the melee.
Tavarez then shoved his glove in Gathright’s face and threw another punch that glanced off the top of his head.

[full story]


For those scoring at home (unofficial boxing results):
Tavarez: 3
Gathright: 0