Posey Not Blocking the Plate

Last season, one of the most painful-to-watch injuries to watch occured with a play at the plate involving San Francisco Giants phenom Buster Posey and now Miami Marlins' Scott Cousins. Watch below.

Now that Buster is back on the horse as he has reported to spring training, Giants manager Bruce Bochy has told his most valuable possession outside of Tim Lincecum to not block the plate in order to prevent a sequel to the above.

Wishful thinking. Collisions between baserunners and catchers are getting more and more violent as days go by. Major League Baseball hasn't commented on improving safety precautions as the NFL has to its quarterbacks, because Buster Posey to baseball is no where close to what Tom Brady is to football.

The league may need to come forward to address this issue before someone's career ends no thanks to a hard collision. If the NFL can soften up their game, why can't baseball? Sure, it decreases the value of the game, but who wants to see back-ups play in lieu of the superstars?

This is not 2011 anymore, this is 2012. Maybe things will be different, and catchers will continue to remember in the back of their minds

Too bad Buster has too much competitiveness to let opponents to just simply touch the plate. He's going to stand on the train tracks even if it means risking injury once again. He will refuse a runner to get an easy lane to the plate. One run can mean anything over the course of a season, not just a game. Just ask the Giants that the night Buster went down, or with more importance, ask the Tampa Bay Rays what a run means to them and their 2011 campaign.

Posey has had thoughts of moving to another position in wake of him losing his season to a broken leg. He says he would like to play a little first base (which he will), but he also realizes, he's needed behind the plate.

Eli Whiteside, San Francisco's other catcher, doesn't have the tools needed to play everyday back there. Sure, Whiteside does have plenty of MLB experience, but not enough to endure calling balls and strikes every time out. Let him start 50-70 games. Most Giants fans would be okay with that.

The Giants need Posey in order to stay in contention for a National League West division pennant. San Francisco has the defense and the pitching, but if Posey falls again to another injury, there goes another chance for the Giants to add another championship to their resume. Posey runs this team. Just keep him out of the way when someone comes barreling.