AZ's Slant on Sunday -- Jacknifed at Home Plate

Written in Red Whine Fashion...

Oh boy, aren't I being a commoner in this topic? Deal with it. I have a say for it too.

As many people have seen on the news or have watched on ESPN, Giants catcher and 2010 NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey was caught in a collision with Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins on May 25th. This resulted in Posey sustaining a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle.

After this collision, players, officials, and even baseball analysts are up in arms and thinking about either banning the concept of home plate challenges or fining players that cause violent collisions at home plate. People are not just claiming the idea of the collision to be completely unnecessary, but that it puts catchers (and oncoming players) in too much danger of serious injury. There have been statistics stating that more damage is done from a baseball player coming full force at a catcher than a linebacker coming full force at a quarterback. The main reason for this is that there is more padding involved, speed and size of the mass, and of course the positioning of the object about to get rocked. Officials want to cut this whole worry out completely.

Firstly, isn't it male human nature to pretty much fight for what you think is yours? That run is yours, you're going to do whatever it takes to earn what you're running for. What are you going to do? Steamroll the little bugger! But then I guess it's all fun and games until someone pokes an eye out in that case. Former catchers are all coming out now and stating their likes and dislikes about home plate collisions. Retirees like color commentator Tim McCarver have stated disgust and the disregard for plays like that. On the other hand, others such as Mike Matheny have seen no problem for the plays, only that they can be easily avoided and not needed to be worried about like it is now. Players like Matheny will state, "I'll forgive, but I won't forget. Just watch your behind next time." They don't believe it would be practical to change the rules. How can you stop a thing like this?

This whole thing about changing the rules is malarky. Are you kidding me? Remember Pete Rose and that famed home plate collision during the 1970 All-Star game? Catcher Ray Fosse had a separated shoulder after that--it didn't end his career, guys--and the game back then was so much rougher and more exposed to injury than today. Yes, Rose got a lot of flack for what he did, but that didn't deliver this whole big stink that it is now. Rose didn't exactly get death threats like Scott Cousins is right now. This recent collision has caused Cousins to get death threats and even harsh comments from Giants general manager Brian Sabean.

From the Associated Press, he stated:
"if I never hear from Cousins again, or he doesn't play another day in the big leagues, I think we'll all be happy."

Lemme get this straight, Mr. Sabean, how old are you? Not even Posey himself said the inappropriate garbage that you did. It's one thing to let your emotions get in the way, but it's another thing to be completely immature and overdo the "protection" of your team. Get real. You're a general manager, and you should know better than to be a pompous idiot. Frankly, I think Bruce Bochy is taking this rather well compared to your remarks. I hope Joe Torre dropkicks you.

Grumble-grumble-grumble-verbal vomit-grumble-grumble...

With that said, should there be rules or fines implicated when it comes to catchers and baserunners in this situation? How could you? I see big collisions like that coming about as accidents, and well...accidents happen. Think about it--if they banned the collisions, the only way the baserunner would be able to challenge the catcher would be through the "slide or surrender" rule which [correct me if I'm wrong here] is mostly incorporated in NCAA baseball/softball. They're adults, and there's no need for the sissy-nanny slide or surrender; this is the major leagues, for cripes' sake. If you have a really big problem with it, plate blockage needs to be evaluated and fixed in order that the catcher has the ability to stand (or crouch) firmly without rolling over joints and being bent in ways that they shouldn't be bent. If you're a baserunner, there should be measures taken to teach the boys not to lower their heads and ram the catcher like they're ruffians. There shouldn't be any of this "forearming the catcher" crapolla like the guys did back in the 70's and 80's. I hate to put it like this, but we people are more "dainty" in this day and age, and we can really describe ourselves in the context of the bull in the china shop.

Boys, let's just play nice, okay?

--AZ

(Quotes and information researched from ESPN.com)