MLB reviewing Rizzo's home plate collision vs. Padres |
Cubs first baseman
Anthony Rizzo had a home plate collision with the Padres catcher Austin Hedges in the middle innings as Rizzo was gunned down at the plate trying to score from third base during Sunday night's game.
New York columnist Joel Sherman reported on Monday afternoon that major league chief officer Joe Torre is reviewing the play. "Heard Joe Torre is reviewing Rizzo crash into Hedges from last nite," Sherman posted. "Review does NOT automatically mean fines/suspension." According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs and the Padres were told on Monday that Rizzo was in violation of Rule 7.13 which is a rule to protect catchers from serious injuries. Another angle here from the Padres broadcast. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/UtlQOCb9BO Another angle here from the Padres broadcast. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/o7f8PEtnPF After the ballgame on Sunday, Padres manager Andy Green thought the play was a "cheap shot" by Rizzo. "I think it's a cheap shot," Green said. "I'm not saying he is a dirty player at all. No one is saying that. He clearly deviated from his path to hit our catcher and took our catcher out. The rule exists to protect him. It's a disheartening play." Rizzo told reporters the following about the home plate collision after the game. "By no means do I think that’s a dirty play at all," Rizzo said. "“I’ve talked to a lot of umpires about this rule. My understanding is: If they have the ball, it’s game on." Cubs manager Joe Maddon had the following take on the collision after the Cubs win. “I loved it, absolutely loved it,” Maddon said. “That’s part of the game. If the catcher’s in the way, you hit him.”
