The Pirates lost to the Cubs 3-2 on Sunday, and they also lost their catcher Ryan Doumit.
Meanwhile, Doumit might become the third catcher in just a few days — following Buster Posey and Humberto Quintero — to get knocked out of action by a collision at the plate.
Looking at the picture at the post, Carlos Pena was sliding feet first. It’s just a dangerous play.
But by all means let’s mock Brayan Pena for not putting himself in harms way.
Many times it is the baserunner who gets hurt sliding into a padded catcher feet first (or headfirst). Pedroia hurt his knee last year on a play at the plate and said it was responsible for a slump that lasted alomost a month. Hamilton broke his arm sliding into home plate as V-mart dived at him with the ball. Scosia was famous for using his pads to break arms and legs of runners sliding home.
Of course, I recall Santanna getting wiped out by Kalish last year on a feet first slide into his leg and tearing up Santanas knee and everyone, including Santana, saying it was a clean play.
Maybe the only rule change needed is a rule that prevents the catcher from blocking the plate.
Better yet, in addition to preventing catchers from blocking the plate, make all plays at the plate a force out, so no tag need be applied, and runners would have no incentive to knocking the ball out of the catchers glove (even if they did he would be out).