Cubs Vs. White Sox: 2006 Crosstown Classic Became Base-Brawl Game (VIDEO)

CHICAGO, IL — As the Crosstown Classic winds down this week, the four-game series between the Cubs and the White Sox has been missing an element that was memorable part of the rivalry the last time one of the teams was a defending World Series champion: a bench-clearing brawl. But that's probably an element that Major League Baseball officials are glad has remained absent this time around.

When the teams played on May 20, 2006, at US Cellular Field, the White Sox had just come off sweeping the Houston Astros in the World Series in 2005. The Cubs, meanwhile, still hadn't pulled themselves out of the downward spiral caused by missing they're shot at going to the World Series in 2003. If the North Siders' lingering resentment was a pile of gasoline-soaked rags, then the South Siders' cockiness — epitomized by the team's brash and boisterous catcher, A.J. Pierzynski — wasn't just a match, it was a flamethrower. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

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In the second inning of the game, Pierzynski scored after Cubs catcher Michael Barrett dropped the ball in a collision at the plate on a sacrifice fly by Brian Anderson. Pierzynski then made matters worse by pounding home plate after scoring. That celebratory display was too much for Barrett, who responded by pounding Pierzynski in the jaw with a right hook.

WATCH: A bench-clearing brawl breaks out during the 2006 game between the Cubs and White Sox at US Cellular Field.

Dugouts emptied after that, and it took umpires close to 15 minutes to end the on-field scrums and melees and finally restore order. In the end, Barrett and Pierzynski were ejected, along with Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry. The White Sox would go on to beat the Cubs, 7-0.

The brawl was a microcosm of sorts for the teams' seasons. Frustration mounted for the Cubs, who finished in last place that year. And while the White Sox missed the postseason after winning it all the year before, they were able to leverage the fight into a successful All-Star bid for Pierzynski. The "Punch A.J." campaign earned the catcher 3.6 million American League fan votes and his second trip to the All-Star Game.

White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski is safe at home after a collision with Cubs catcher Michael Barrett during the May 20, 2006, Crosstown Classic at US Cellular Field. (Photo by Jeff Roberson | Associated Press)

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