Dalton Rushing added a new dimension to his reputation for playing traditional baseball during a game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
The rookie catcher for the Dodgers found himself in controversy after he was called for interference in the fifth inning. He attempted an aggressive slide toward Pirates shortstop Jared Toriolo in a bid to stop a double play.
With Rushing on first, Alex Freeland hit a ground ball to right field that could have led to a double play. Rushing veered off the bag and collided with Toriolo as the infielder was trying to make the throw.
Freeland managed to beat the throw to first initially, but umpires reviewed the play and deemed Rushing’s slide illegal per Major League Baseball’s “slide rule,” which led to a double play for Pittsburgh.
This incident reignited criticism surrounding Rushing, who had already stirred controversy earlier this season.
In April, San Francisco infielder Luis Arraez had called him out for a hard slide into Giants shortstop Willie Adames, saying, “To me, that’s not good baseball. It’s not pretty baseball. It’s dirty, but this is baseball.”
Despite the backlash, Rushing showed little concern and seems uninterested in altering his aggressive style. He commented after the Giants’ incident, “I don’t really care. I play hard and I play with fire, but I think some people create something out of nothing.”
This mentality surfaced again during Tuesday’s game.
While older baseball fans might see Rushing’s slide as a classic “takeout” move, it’s important to remember that MLB rules changed in 2016 after the well-known Chase Utley incident involving Ruben Tejada. Now, players cannot alter their path to make contact with fielders, making slides like Rushing’s subject to review.
The situation is particularly notable for the Dodgers, as starting catcher Will Smith is missing time due to a stiff neck and is reportedly contemplating an injured reserve placement. If Smith’s absence extends, Rushing’s role in the lineup may increase.
His potential at the plate is certainly worth watching, but with more playtime comes heightened scrutiny. Now, Rushing’s actions are under the microscope for more than just his batting skills.
