Pablo Sandoval plows into catcher in Mexican League

It’s Could 25, 2011 and the defending World Sequence champion San Francisco Giants are taking part in towards the Florida Marlins. The sport is tied 6-6 within the twelfth, however the Marlins have runners on first and third with just one out. Emilio Bonifacio lifts a fly ball to proper middle. The Giants’ Nate Schierholtz has loads of time to get underneath it, makes the catch and fires dwelling to attempt to gun down Scott Cousins. Ready for Cousins on the plate is catcher Gerald Dempsey Posey III, AKA Buster Posey, the reigning NL Rookie of the 12 months. Posey tries to dam the plate and make the tag, however Cousins drives straight into Buster. The collision is ugly. The aftermath worse.

Posey fractured a bone in his lower leg and tore three ligaments in his ankle. He was out for the rest of the season.

This incident sparked concern for the protection of catchers throughout the league. Seeing Posey writhing in ache behind dwelling was all Giants supervisor Bruce Bochy wanted to see. He began a marketing campaign to create a brand new rule to guard catchers attempting to guard the plate, and after a couple of years it lastly got here to fruition. In 2014, MLB launched Rule 7.13, informally generally known as the “Buster Posey Rule,” which prevented runners from transferring out of a direct line to the plate with the intention to provoke contact with the catcher. It additionally prevented catchers from blocking the plate from runners except they already had possession of the ball. Principally, that second between Cousins and Posey modified baseball ceaselessly.

Whereas Pablo Sandoval didn’t play in that sport, he was a member of these San Francisco Giants throughout that season. He witnessed the Posey disaster first-hand from the dugout. You’d suppose Sandoval could be horrified by that sight. I imply, he was even introduced as much as the Main Leagues as a catcher earlier than transitioning to 3rd base. That would’ve been him if the Giants determined he wanted to remain at his unique place. Properly, apparently, Sandoval didn’t be taught a rattling factor.

Within the seventh inning of, get this, a 6-6 ballgame within the Mexican League, Sandoval rounded third and smashed into Saraperos’ catcher Hans Wilson, whereas attempting to attain the go-ahead run. There isn’t any “Buster Posey Rule” within the Mexican League, so all Wilson noticed was Kung Fu Panda trucking towards him at full pace with malicious intent. The catcher recorded the out, however then stayed on the bottom in ache. Teammates and onlookers watched in horror hoping he was alright. You understand who wasn’t there ensuring he was OK, although? Pablo Sandoval.

Sandoval simply walked away from the entire incident. Positive, he did stick round for a second and put his hand on Wilson’s chest (presumably in an effort to apologize) whereas he was on the bottom, however that’s the naked minimal. If any individual put me within the hospital with a damaged leg they usually got here to the hospital solely to say “Hey, I’m sorry,” pat me on the again, and stroll away after thirty seconds, I’d be furious.

You’ll be able to see Sandoval within the video, mozying again to the dugout after consoling Wilson for precisely seven seconds, by no means even glancing again on the mayhem he brought on. He confirmed no indicators of regret. What an asshole! Significantly.

I assume I shouldn’t have anticipated a lot from somebody who threw his Giants teammates under the bus as quickly as he left for Boston in 2015. Then, solely when the Giants introduced him again in 2017, Sandoval tried to take back all of those comments. That’s such a delicate transfer, and anyone with half a mind can see via that apology.

As beloved as Sandoval was when he performed within the Huge Leagues, it’s moments like this that remind us of his true colours. He’s all the time been a self-centered asshole who received by on his fluffy panda persona and 2012 World Sequence MVP. That catcher may miss the remainder of the season, and Sandoval didn’t present the slightest trace at regret. If that doesn’t expose him, I don’t know what is going to.