Chicago Cubs Anthony Rizzo and the questionable slide

Given all the rules governing slides these days, the fact that Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was not called out for interference during their contest with the Pittsburgh Pirates was a surprise.

It seemed like an innocent enough play at the time. With the bases loaded and no outs, Chicago Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez hit a grounder to Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Sean Rodriguez, who fired home to catcher Elias Diaz. He was able to get the force on first baseman Anthony Rizzo at home, but then, everything went awry.

In a play that would have been at home a decade ago, Rizzo slid into the plate to attempt to break up the double play. He slid right into Diaz’ legs, forcing a wide through, allowing two runs to score. Naturally, that play led to a great deal of gnashing of teeth, as the slide was ruled legal upon review. Manager Clint Hurdle was ejected following the review, irate that a player he felt was defenseless was not given the benefit of the doubt. Watch the video and see what Hurdle was referring to.

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One can certainly understand the argument. Rizzo was not exactly on a line to the plate, and appeared to be target the back of Diaz’ legs. Had this play occurred at second, and he was that far off line, then interference likely would have been called. The Cubs would have been the victims of a double play, and the complexion of the game may have changed dramatically.

However, these are the types of plays that are truly baseball plays. These are the moments that, just a couple of years ago, no one would have looked at twice. This is how we were all taught to play the game years ago, before the Buster Posey Rule and Chase Utley‘s slide in the 2015 postseason changed how these plays occur. The game is certainly safer now that defenseless players are protected, but these rules still leave a lot to interpretation.

In the end, Diaz was fine, and Rizzo apologized to the Pirates catcher prior to his plate appearance in the ninth. Any bad blood between the two sides seems to have been quieted. But to see that slide, and some of the other slides that have been ruled illegal, leaves one to wonder what the definition truly is, and how it is interpreted.

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Was this a legal slide by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo? What to you think?