Pete Rose most definitely did not help up Ray Fosse after he blasted the catcher in the 1970 All-Star Game. So focused on scoring the winning run — even in an All Star game — Rose nailed Fosse so hard he separated the catcher's shoulder and essentially ended Fosse's season. As a result, Rose scored the winning run.
In 1973, Thurman Munson tried to score from third on a missed bunt to break a 2-2 deadlock between the Yankees and Red Sox. He did the exact opposite of helping up his fellow catcher and rival Carlton Fisk after going airborne and brutally smashing into him at home plate. He punched him square in the face.
As far back as Ty Cobb slamming his sharpened cleats into the chest of opposing catchers, collisions at home plate have been a part of the game. At times, catchers AND runners are hurt in the process. But when the contest is on the line and a run must be scored, a real ballplayer will, should, and must do anything to ensure he crosses the plate safely.
Cobb, Rose, Munson, Fisk, and even Scioscia played with a win-at-any cost approach on the field that is all but gone from most major league rosters today. Instead of wailing about the horrific act of Teixeira running into a catcher, the player should be praised that, despite his big contract and promising future, he is willing to put his body on the line and play that hard to win.
And in a league where a pitcher can throw at a hitter and never face the repercussions of entering the batters box himself, if there was a certain level of payback in Teixeira's action, that too is part of the game.
Article comments
1 - Sean Lear
Well by that logic then we should get rid of the 'vicinity' calls at second base. If you don't touch the base then it's not an out. Who cares if the players sliding into your shins/ankles? It's a rough sport you better get used to it.
2 - Tony
The vicinity rule is a joke, but that doesn't exactly fit into the logic. Guys slide in hard to break up double plays and they hammer catchers to score runs. That's baseball. But the vicinity rule could easily be abolished with instant replay. I hate that role almost as much as I hate the floating, arbitrary strike zone.