Posted on 05/26/2011 11:57:37 AM PDT by ZGuy
The problem with the Pete Rose play and part of the reason he was labeled a jerk was that it happened in the All Star game. Its basically an exhibition game that doesn’t count. The Posey play doesn’t even look that bad. His leg sort of bends back beneath him on conact. But here’s Pete’s take on it. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/02/pete-rose-ray-fosse-all-star-collision/1
It’s the runner’s job to get home and it’s the catcher’s job to block the plate. It’s just that simple.
Back in 1970, the All Star Game meant something to the players. Both leagues wanted to beat the other for pride’s sake.
Pete solidified his position as Pu$$y Supreme when he followed up with his Gene Gerber rant, the classless poser.
It IS illegal to block the plate unless he has the ball in his hand. Same way at all the bases. If they have you dead to rights, you aren’t going to see the base behind the player blocking it. Collisions are more rare on the paths, but they do happen. Spiking more often, but you get ejected if you intentionally spike someone. I don’t think they sharpen their spikes any more either. Cain’t do nuthin no more.
But this is baseball. It's a man's sport. Such injuries are exceedingly rare.
Accordingly, the rule should not be changed.
And after one hour of comments, it looks like FReepers have overwhelmingly rejected Grant’s suggestion.
I SHOCKED! SHOCKED I tell you!
Eggsactly !!!
>>>It IS illegal to block the plate unless he has the ball in his hand. <<<
I didn’t know that. Perhaps the simple solution is for umpires to enforce that rule. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it called.
While I love the Sharks and Warriors, I truly do not like the Giants. Sorry about Posey, tho.
Grant, your skirt is hiked up.....
Rose laid a legal hit on Ray - its baseball
Live and in color; http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=5766041
It was watching a runner take out a catcher that made me beg to switch from second base to catcher, man I used to love full body contact.
I was a catcher and runners tried to run over me at their peril. Good luck getting to the plate if I was blocking it.
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Because the catcher's job is to block the plate from the incoming runner and make the TAG. The first baseman's job is to place his foot on the inside corner of the bag while receiving the throw, the TAG is not necessary.
Additionally, the catcher has protective equipment to help prevent a collision injury. The first baseman is in a vulnerable position during the play in that he is facing sideways awaiting the throw and totally oblivious to the hitter running to first base.........Plus, in most cases, he is fully stretched out in order to receive the throw and any collision that you mention would potentially cripple him......
Of course collisions do happen at first base, that's part of the game but it's usually due to errant throws to first which require the first baseman to put himself in the path of the hitter in order to make the catch.
Bottom line, a catcher must block the plate, the first baseman only needs to touch the bag.
That must be why they only left pitchers in for 3 innings.
The All Star game has never been about anything important. It's an honor but something to go through without getting hurt and getting back to your team healthy for the important games.
I thought Rose was a hot dog before that game. I was wrong. The man was a total ass.
Sorry to hear that Buster is busted.
Even opponents admire him; he’s a classic awesome player.
I’ve looked at replay and the way Cousins tackled Posey, he could have broken his neck.
Buster was with his back to the plate, not on the base path, ready to catch the throw from the right fielder.
The tackle caught him as he was turning to make the tag and flipped him over and spun him around before he ultimately landed on the left leg.
Cousins’s velocity was like one of those tornadoes tearing across the Midwest.
I’m not sure the shoulder tackle was necessary.
The rule you are citing pertains specifically to baserunners who are attempting to interfere with the play of infielders. It has absolutely no bearing on the catcher whose job is to place his body between home plate and the incomming base runner from third while the ball is being thrown to him for the play at the plate.
You obviously do not play the game..........
Posey wasn’t blocking the plate. He was about a foot in front of the plate (towards the mound) reaching to make the tag when Cousins shoulder-tackled him.
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