It’s painful to watch. Giants fans are in a world of hurt following the brutal collision at the plate involving catcher Buster Posey.
Posey, the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 2010, is likely out for the rest of the season with a broken bone in his lower left leg. The injury occurred in the 12th inning of last night’s game against the Florida Marlins, when Scott Cousins tagged up from 3rd base on a sacrifice fly.
Nate Schierholtz fired a rocket to the plate that took one bounce as Posey tried to grab it. But the 24 year old star catcher bobbled the ball – and then immediately faced the incoming runner, who barreled over him, just as Pete Rose did to Ray Fosse in the 197o All Star Game (click here to see the pictures)
Cousins was trying to prevent Posey from making the tag and succeeded – but in so doing, took out the Giants hope behind the plate – and also their clean up hitter.
Was it a clean play? I’ve seen the video several times now and think Cousins play was fully within the rules allowed by baseball – an aggressive but clean play that scored a run. There was no deliberate intent to harm the catcher in my opinion. Of course, the flip side is that catchers are like sitting ducks on a play like this – but had Posey fielded the ball cleanly, he might have been able to make the tag without getting hit. Either way it’s a tragedy for the Giants who are now losing the heart and soul of their line up.
Was it a clean hit in your view? 62% of fans voting in an MLB poll said yes, 37% said no. Send me your comments and I’ll publish them for discussion.
