Following San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey's devastating, season-ending leg injury last week, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane became the first MLB executive to take a clear stand on catcher safety.
Posey's season ended last Wednesday when Florida Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins collided with the second-year catcher on a play at the plate. Beane made it clear to his catcher, Kurt Suzuki, that he didn't want his backstop engaging in any similar plays.
"I said to him, 'I don't want you planting yourself in front of the plate waiting to get creamed,'" Beane said to ESPN, "'You’re an athletic catcher -– be athletic.'"
"'I don't subscribe to the theory you should be a crash-test dummy,'" Beane also told Suzuki, "'I don't want to lose you for six months.'"
Beane clarified that there were some extenuating circumstances where blocking the plate would be appropriate.
Posey, who helped lead the Giants to a World Series last season, was batting .284 with 4 home runs and 21 RBIs at the time of his injury. Suzuki is batting .242 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs.
