October 11, 2015
Former Phillies second basemen and current Los Angeles Dodger Chase Utley had the internet buzzing Saturday night when his hard slide to try and break up a double play ended up breaking something else: Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's leg.
The play, which occurred in the 7th inning of the Dodgers' 5-2 win over New York that tied up the NLDS one game apiece, is currently being looked at by MLB executive Joe Torre for potential disciplinary action against the former Philadelphia fan favorite.
Utley knocked Tejada over in his slide and was actually called safe after a replay review showed the shortstop's foot just missed touching the base.
The run that scored on the play tied the game, and the Dodgers tacked on three more to seal the victory. You can watch the play here:
Two former Phillies teammates of Utley had differing reactions to the controversial play.
Shane Victorino, who's currently with the Angels and won a World Series ring with him in Philly, defended the play and applauded the second basemen for his "toughness."
Always called him one of my toughest teammates...Utley showing why I always called him a winner!!! #MLBPlayoffs
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) October 11, 2015
Never wanna see anyone get hurt but I have seen worse but the magnitude of this one will bring up a lot of debate for sure!!! #MLBPlayoffs
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) October 11, 2015
Pedro Martinez, however, who pitched for the Phillies during their 2009 season when they won the NL Pennant, was critical of Utley.
Martinez, who also played for the Mets, called the play "mind-boggling" on a TBS post-game show and said it appeared he was aiming for Tejada.
Here's Pedro Martinez, speaking on TBS about Chase Utley's takeout slide Saturday. pic.twitter.com/HJwhvwgM19
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) October 11, 2015
He reinforced his stance, highlighting the perceived injury risk of the slide, on Twitter.
If you tell Utley to teach kids to slide on second base? Would he teach them the way he slided tonight?
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 11, 2015
It bothered me to see Utley's slide and the way he went after Tejada. Being a 2nd base man he needed to think how to break the DP not hisleg
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 11, 2015
What do you think: hard play or dirty slide?
