In the heat of the pennant race

One of baseball’s bleakest moments occurs 58 years ago today when San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal uses his bat to deliberately hit Los Angeles catcher John Roseboro in the head to start the bottom of the third inning of their game at Candlestick Park.

The 1965 brawl, photographed by Neil Leifer of Sports Illustrated, starts when Marichal, as a batter, believes Roseboro throws too close to his head while returning the ball to Dodgers starter Sandy Koufax.

Roseboro, who is saved from further injury by Giants center fielder and peacemaker Willie Mays, needs 14 stiches to close the gash in his head.

Marichal is ejected in a game the Giants eventually win, beating Koufax 4-3.

Roseboro ends up missing only two games, while Marichal is suspended for eight games and a then-record $1,750.

Marichal goes on to win 22 games that season, but the suspension costs him two starts and has a significant impact on the pennant race as the Giants finish two games behind the National League-leading Dodgers.

Eventually, Roseboro and Marichal become good friends and maintain that friendship until Roseboro passes away in 2002.