Injury was tragic, but leave game alone
Three thoughts on the Pirates:
1. Hurdle蘑菇视频 overreaction
Baseball is not meant to be a violent game.
However, there are times when collisions happen and injuries occur. Sometimes, serious injuries.
Such was the case Thursday when Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang蘑菇视频 standout rookie season ended abruptly when he sustained a torn medical collateral ligament and cartilage in his left knee and a broken left leg after the Chicago Cubs鈥� Chris Coghlan slid him into at second base while unsuccessfully trying break up a double play.
Kang will miss the rest of this season and his availability for the start of next season is in question.
It was an unfortunate situation 鈥� Coghlan was truly remorseful when he spoke with reporters 鈥� but not one that should have prompted Pirates manager Clint Hurdle on Friday to call for Major League Baseball to establish rules that would eliminate runners from trying to break up double plays.
MLB outlawed home plate collisions and catchers from blocking home plate prior to last season. Now, nearly every time there is a play at the plate it is followed by a lengthy video review to try to determine the intent. It has reached the point of absurdity.
It is sad to see anyone suffering a serious injury but it is part of athletics and a risk that is taken when you play sports.
2. Depth charge
Kang finished with a .287 batting average and 15 home runs in 126 games, which won鈥檛 be enough to overtake Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant for National League Rookie of the Year but will garner the South Korean native some votes.
The Pirates, though, have the infield depth to overcome Kang蘑菇视频 injury and should be OK in his absence. Jordy Mercer has reestablished himself as the starting shortstop since returning from his own knee injury last month and Aramis Ramirez and Josh Harrison are both capable of playing third base on an everyday basis.
3. RIP, Milo
Milo Hamiton never stood a chance to win over the hearts of Pirates鈥� fans as he joined the broadcast booth in 1976 on the heels of the dumbest move in franchise history 鈥� firing the beloved Bob Prince.
Hamilton, who died this past week at 88, did not help matters with his pomposity.
However, he did call many exciting moments during his four-year stint from 1976-79 with an unmistakably rich voice and carved out a spot in Pirates鈥� history.