Previous
A-Rod is a bit too late to nail Toronto's Rajai Davis. (Kathy Willens/AP)
2. Sliding evolved from a defensive to a more offensive skill.
At first, sliding into base was seen as a means of applying the brakes to avoid overrunning the base without incurring a charley horse. But eventually its potential for avoiding tag-outs received increasing emphasis. Some runners, however, remained reluctant in the early years to slide at all because the infields were less finely groomed and sometimes pebble-strewn.
These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the above story is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate any copyright[s]. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.