Pedro plunks ... Shaq? ... but escapes brawl

May 11th, 2022

Pitching legend Pedro Martinez knows his way around a brawl or two. He's never backed down from anyone on the mound, not even ... Shaquille O'Neal?

The pair of Hall of Famers had a little fun in the TBS studio, with Shaq bravely getting in the box against Pedro, who didn't seem to be holding anything back. The bat looking like a mere twig in his massive hands certainly didn't help Shaq, who swung through a fastball and a changeup without getting particularly close.

Granted, Pedro then committed the cardinal sin of pitching, plunking Shaq in the back with an 0-2 pitch, although the iconic big man did seem to lean into it. He's certainly been hit with worse in the post.

"That's the only way you can get on base," Pedro joked, and though Shaq may have taken a brief step or two towards the "mound," he decided to get back in and take another hack.

Not a wise move. He may have fouled off the next pitch, but Pedro got him with what looked like an offspeed on the next one.

No shame in that, Shaq.