Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley suspended 2 games for rough slide

Major League Baseball has suspended Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley for his controversial slide into New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada during Game 2 of their National League Division Series matchup:

Tejada suffered a broken right tibula as a result of the play. The incident, which ignited a firestorm of debate around the baseball world, helped shift the momentum in the crucial game that ended in a series-tying Dodgers victory. Many felt Utley’s slide was dirty in that it appeared to target Tejada directly rather than the second base bag. Further criticism was aimed at the video review of the play, which called Utley safe at second.

MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre explained in a statement that after additional consideration, the slide was deemed illegal:

“… after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley’s action warrants discipline. While I sincerely believe that Mr. Utley had no intention of injuring Ruben Tejada, and was attempting to help his Club in a critical situation, I believe his slide was in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.09 (a)(13), which is designed to protect fielders from precisely this type of rolling block that occurs away from the base. We have been in discussions with the Players Association throughout the year regarding potential rule changes to better protect middle infielders, and we intend to continue those discussions this offseason.”

This event has caused enough of an uproar that it would certainly not be surprising to see a rule adjustment instituted over the winter. Some have argued that there should be a more comprehensive rule in place to protect infielders from collisions, similar to the one protecting catchers that was introduced a few seasons ago.

Utley plans to appeal the suspension, but it’s hard to see MLB backing down amid all the media and public scrutiny. The Mets and Dodgers meet up again for Game 3 on Monday at Citi Field in New York.

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