Mark Teixeira Running Over Bobby Wilson: Clean or Dirty?

Two weeks ago, the Angels had a surplus at the catcher position. After this weekend, they’re somewhat thin. Things started a week ago when Jeff Mathis, who had been hitting his way into a regular gig, got hit on the wrist trying to block a pitch in the dirt. He landed on the disabled list with a fracture. Then on Friday night, minor league call-up Bobby Wilson was plowed over by Mark Teixeira at the plate and suffered a concussion. He too is now on the disabled list. The big question that emerged over the weekend was whether or not Teixeira’s play was dirty. I say no. Watch the video of Mark Teixeira running over Angels catcher Bobby Wilson and let me know what you think:

To me, that was a bang-bang play and Teixeira was ensuring that he scored the run. As a catcher, if you’re prepared to block the plate to keep the running from scoring, then you also have to be prepared to get hit. Just because Wilson got hit in the head and wound up on the disabled list doesn’t change that Teixeira went in hard to make sure he scored. I wouldn’t have wanted my player to go into home any other way. Even Angels manager Mike Scioscia, a former catcher who mastered the art of blocking the plate, said the play was clean. Others like Torii Hunter are probably upset one of their teammates wound up on the DL and suggested Teixeira was getting revenge for being hit by a pitch earlier in the game. That sort of passion and pride is what makes Hunter such a good teammate. I just don’t think there was anything wrong about Teixeira’s play, and neither did Wilson. It’s just unfortunate that Wilson wound up hurt.

Sources:
Some Angels question Teixeira collision [ESPNLA]
Angels’ Wilson ‘fuzzy’ but holds no grudges over collision [OC Register]
Mark Teixeira’s Collision At Home [The Big Lead]