Leg-breaking slide by Dodgers’ Chase Utley draws comparisons to former Royal Hal McRae
Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley is now public enemy number one for many baseball fans.
During game two of the National League Division Series on Saturday night, Utley attempted to break up a double play. Instead he broke Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg.
Hit stick by Chase Utley pic.twitter.com/3hnYiRXsp3
— Ahmed (@A__Mahmood) October 11, 2015Here’s the MLB.com video of the play:
Utley’s play was part of a four-run seventh inning as the Dodgers rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Mets.
The play was reminiscent of former Royals great Hal McRae’s slide during the second game of the 1977 ALCS. Thanks to YouTube, you can take a look here:
I thought they outlawed that slide when Hal McRae used to virtually tackle Willie Randolph on slides in ALCS.
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) October 11, 2015Chase Utley graduated from Hal McRae School of Takeout Slides
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 11, 2015Wow. Chase Utley just went all Hal McRae on Tejada.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) October 11, 2015One big difference between the Utley slide and McRae’s: No one broke a leg.
There was a lot of chatter on Twitter among the national baseball writers that the play may be the impetus for change regarding takeout slides.
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff