An official review by Major League Baseball determined that Anthony Rizzo's controversial slide Monday that knocked down Elias Diaz during the Cubs' 7-0 win over the Pirates should have been called interference.
The Pirates and Cubs were informed of the decision Tuesday afternoon, although it wasn't much consolation to Diaz, who was charged with an error on the play when his throw to first base soared into the outfield.
"I feel normal, I feel the same," Diaz said through team interpreter Mike Gonzalez. "To be honest with you guys, it's late. It's too late now. The game occurred and what happened behind the plate occurred. It's time to move on. I am grateful that now they're going to become more alert. That's going to bring me more peace and a lot of catchers more peace, even whatever player peace, that MLB is going to be more alert."
With the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth inning, the Cubs' Chris Gimenez hit a ground ball to Sean Rodriguez, who threw home to Diaz for the force out. Diaz caught the ball, stepped forward and prepared to throw to first base. Meanwhile, Rizzo, attempting to score from third base, stepped to the left of the baseline and extended his left leg.
Rizzo made contact with Diaz's right leg, knocking Diaz to the infield grass and leaving him writhing in pain as two runs scored. Home-plate umpire Bill Welke ruled the slide to be legal, and the call stood following a replay review. Clint Hurdle was ejected after arguing the call, and the basis of his argument was such a slide puts catchers in harm's way.
Major League Baseball's slide rule states the following: “When sliding into a base in an attempt to break up a double play, a runner has to make a ‘bona fide slide.’ Such is defined as the runner making contact with the ground before reaching the base, being able to reach the base with a hand or foot, being able to remain on the base at the completion of the slide (except at home plate) and not changing his path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder. The slide rule prohibits runners from using a ‘roll block’ or attempting to initiate contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee, throwing his arm or his upper body or grabbing the fielder. When a violation of the slide rule occurs, the offending runner and the batter-runner will be called out.”
MLB's official review determined Rizzo did change his path for the purpose of initiating contact. The ruling didn't upset Hurdle. He was actually pleased to know his interpretation of the rule was correct and that a precedent can now be set on forceouts at home plate.
"I don't have any idea how it could be worse," Hurdle said. "Seriously, the call is made. Life isn't fair. Sport isn't fair sometimes. You play on. What's most important from my perspective is we let the industry know this particular slide was illegal, for the sake of the catchers. That was my argument yesterday, and I'm glad we came to some conclusion and some closure.”
Chicago manager Joe Maddon and Rizzo defended the slide following Monday's game, with the latter calling it a good play. After MLB's ruling, Rizzo did not change his opinion of his slide. According to him, both Maddon and Theo Epstein, the Cubs' general manager, were told by the league the slide was not "dirty."
Rizzo added he wasn't trying to hurt anyone, saying he attempts to break up a double play at any base the exact same way, stepping to one side.
"I don’t think I’m going to change the way I go in to break up a double play," Rizzo said. "If the guy catches the ball at first base we’re not talking about this right now. It’s one of those things where if you break up a double play it’s a good slide. I think it’s a little bit more sensitive when it’s at home plate. That’s not taking away anything from the home-plate collision rules. That’s totally a separate rule from my understanding."
Joe Torre, the league's Chief Baseball Officer, spoke to Maddon Tuesday to explain why Rizzo's slide was illegal. However, Torre's explanation didn't change Maddon's opinion of the play. Maddon said the slide rule should not apply in this case and that the rule could possibly vilify players such as Rizzo, who choose to attempt such hard slides.
"I talked to Mr. Torre, and he explained to me his interpretation, and I told him with all due respect I absolutely disagree," Maddon said. "There's nothing wrong with that play, and I still believe, again, the umpires got it right — both in New York and on the field last night. ... Just think of it in these terms also: what would have happened had the catcher thrown to first base and completed the play before Anthony knocked him down? What would have happened? Nothing. ... That group out there that believes Anthony is dirty in any way, shape or form, that's my biggest concern about this rule."
Both sides want more clarity about the rule, though. David Freese told reporters allowing such a slide "opens the door" for others to attempt takeout slides. Francisco Cervelli, who was out of the lineup Monday because of flu-like symptoms, said such slides were how baseball was played "10 years ago or six years ago."
He didn't blame Rizzo for the slide, though. Instead, he wants the league to clarify what the runner and catcher should do in such a situation. "The rule has never been clear about what the runner can do or what the catchers can do. Sometimes they go and review and [they determine] catchers are blocking and they're called safe. It's weird. But it's something we cannot control. The adrenaline of the moment makes you play baseball hard, that's it."