I’m not a big fan of takeout slides as a rule. Toronto’s Colby Rasmus, though, definitely went above and beyond while trying to take out Boston’s Dustin Pedroia in the first inning of Wednesday’s game.
After what looked like a perfectly legitimate slide initially, Rasmus decided to put in a little extra effort and kick up his left leg at Pedroia after already having reached second base.
It “worked,” in that Pedroia’s relay to first was well wide of the bag at first base, though even without that extra effort, Pedroia was going to have a tough time making the throw. Fortunately, no one was hurt on the play.
Personally, I’d like to see Rasmus suspended for a few games for undertaking such a dangerous tactic, not that it will ever happen.