Padres manager called Rizzo's play at plate a "cheap shot" |
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.
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.” Andy Green says Anthony Rizzo's slide was a 'cheap shot' pic.twitter.com/H1IEcqLRF4 If you want to understand why Cubs fans are so off-base on that Rizzo/Hedges collision, just listen to their broadcast... pic.twitter.com/Da0RD3VwGw
