The slide violated a proposed constitutional amendment. The Utley Rule may result.

Constitutional amendments for team sports. Friday, June 8, 2012

Team sports really means baseball, football and basketball, the only sports that count.

Why constitutional amendments?  Obviously, the dominant professional organizations (MLB, NFL, NBA) have not understood the urgent need for fundamental reform.  Constitutional amendments will provide the much needed framework for the reforms.  The professional leagues will then need to change their rules to conform...

10. Players may not unload on other players.
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There are 15 amendments.  Number 10 applies to the slide by a Dodger, which resulted in the Mets shortstop suffering a broken leg.

Joe Torre, who handles certain tasks for the league, has now suspended the base runner who deliberately crashed into the shortstop.  The suspended player's appeal will probably be heard this afternoon by a colleague of Torre and is likely a formality.  The player will be suspended for both tournament games in New York between the Mets and Dodgers but may return for a possible game five in Los Angeles.

Chase Utley Aug. 22, 2014 By Go Phightins! via Wikimedia Commons

Chase Utley had a very good career for the Philadelphia Phillies.

• August 19, 2015: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for John Richy (minors) and Darnell Sweeney.

Utley should have stayed put.  Now instead of being viewed as a possible Hall of Fame candidate and all time Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley will be remembered for a dirty slide, which was not even necessary given that the shortstop, Ruben Tejada, had no chance of turning a double play.  The rule on sliding may well be changed before next season and might be properly called the Utley Rule.  What a legacy.