Astros' Jake Marisnick Deserves Clear Suspension for Taking MLB Back to the Stone Age

Before 2014, MLB players had free reign to pummel their way to home plate in any fashion they saw fit, including completely running through the catcher. After we saw a multitude of injuries to catchers because of it, the MLB implemented the home plate collision rule, which states an umpire can call the runner out if said runner tries to blow through the catcher to get a run.

In Sunday's game between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels, we witnessed one of the most egregious violations of the rule in recent years. Astros' Jake Marisnick clearly had no intention of avoiding the Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy when be barreled over him and literally sent him to the hospital.

During the play, you can see Marisnick take a step toward the infield before lowering his shoulder on Lucroy, a clear violation of the rule. It doesn't seem like any attempt was made to get to the bag, and Marisnick should undoubtedly face punishment for it, regardless of his apology. The umpire called Marisnick out on the field and the review upheld the decision.

When Angels manager Brad Ausmus was asked about the play, he didn't shy away from expressing his feelings on it.

"It certainly didn't look like a clean play," he said.

He then went on to say the MLB "should probably take a look at it and consider some type of suspension."

There's been no official word on a potential suspension for Marisnick yet. But if the MLB wants to do right by Lucroy and the home plate collision rule, they'll do the right thing and discipline Marisnick for this.