The play should have been ruled as interference on Rizzo, MLB told both teams on Tuesday, multiple media outlets reported. An interference call would have taken two runs off the board in a game the Cubs ultimately won 7-0.
The Pirates viewed Rizzo’s slide, out of the basepath toward the pitcher’s mound, angled at Díaz’s legs, as a dirty play. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle deemed it “open season” on catchers after the play went unpunished.
With Chicago ahead 3-0, the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth inning, a ground ball was hit to Pirates shortstop Sean Rodriguez, who threw to Díaz to force Rizzo out at home by a comfortable margin.
As Díaz threw to first trying to complete the double play, Rizzo slid feet first into Díaz’s right leg and foot, which was just outside the top of the batter’s box. With the contact, the catcher’s throw went high into right field, allowing two runs to score as Díaz dropped to the ground in pain.
The slide was deemed legal originally, and the play was reviewed on video, leading to Hurdle’s ejection after he argued the call furiously.
Following MLB’s Tuesday ruling, Hurdle said, “The call is made. Life isn’t fair. Sport isn’t fair sometimes. You play on. What’s most important, from my perspective, is that 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.”
Díaz had a similar reaction on Tuesday, saying to MLB.com through an interpreter: “To be honest with you guys, it’s too late now — the game occurred and what happened behind the plate occurred. It’s just time to move on. I am grateful that now they’re going to become more alert, and that’s going to bring me a lot more peace and a lot more catchers peace and whatever player just the peace that now MLB is going to be a lot more alert.”
Rizzo said on Tuesday, “I’m going in to break up a double play. Like I said, I’m not trying to hurt anyone. You look at all the double plays I ever break up at second base, it’s pretty much the same way. You go to one side. Those guys know me over there. I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I’m not doing it with intent to hurt someone.”
“The league talked … with (manager Joe Maddon and Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein) who 100% made it clear it wasn’t a dirty play.”
Regarding the prospect of the Pirates retaliating by hitting him with a pitch, Rizzo said he expects to be struck by Pittsburgh at some point, adding, “It happens. Hopefully it’s in the right spot. Players pretty much know, if you are going to hit someone on purpose, you got to go a little lower.”
Maddon said on Monday that he believed Rizzo’s slide was legal, and he added Tuesday that he was not changing his opinion despite MLB’s disagreement.
The manager added about Rizzo, “Don’t permit a fabrication to sully a reputation based on a good baseball play. Anthony did nothing dirty or wrong in that play. It was an interpretation a day after that all of a sudden they are shedding light on.
“Last point: If the catcher gets rid of the ball more quickly and makes an accurate throw, you are not even asking me this question.”