Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves, Andrew Knapp, Philadelphia Phillies. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Brian Snitker is apparently no longer a fan of The Buster Posey Rule.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker was in a mood after Sunday night’s heartbreaking loss.
The Braves were down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth at home to the Philadelphia Phillies on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. First baseman Freddie Freeman doubled in Adeiny Hechavarria to make it 5-4 Phillies. Slated to tie the ballgame at five runs a piece, shortstop Dansby Swanson got thrown out at the plate by outfielder Didi Gregorious to end the ball game in a 5-4 Phillies victory.
Alex Rodriguez pointed out in the booth Swanson should have gotten a bigger lead with the first baseman not holding him on. That extra five feet would have resulted in a scored run and a tie ball game. Instead, a heated Snitker let it rip with another quote of the ages. “They’re not calling that anymore. They just need to take that off the books and start blowing up catchers again.”
Brian Snitker would welcome baseball’s return into being a contract sport.
The Buster Posey Rule exists because the star catcher for the San Francisco Giants suffered a season-ending injury early in his big league career on a play at the plate. While baseball had been in favor of a runner coming down the line to barrel the catcher previously, this has been out of the game for about a decade due to player safety. However, it’s a rule that is often controversial.
Gregorious made a great throw to get a speeding Swanson at the plate, but the final out of the ballgame had to be reviewed for several minutes to ensure that backup backstop Andrew Knapp wasn’t blocking the plate. He got the benefit of the doubt in that situation because Gregorious’ throw from the outfield brought him into the baseball, as he wasn’t originally set up there.
This could have all be avoided had Swanson taken a bigger secondary lead like Rodriguez suggest. While Swanson has been one of the consistently better players on the Braves this season, it’s always terrible to record the final out of an inning by trying to take the extra base. Snitker is probably more about that than Swanson playing it safe and standing at third base.
With a comment like that, it wouldn’t be shocking of Snitker gets fined for his comments.