Erstad - Estrada Collision at the plate

[chuckfan1]

DG: Use some common sense. Erstad was trying to score. And he tried to score by taking out the catcher. Why? The catcher was starting to swing around to make a play. As in my earlier post, Kruk (Baseball Tonight) hit in on the head when he gave the example of Darren Daulton, and how he used to deke the runner, so the runner would think he could slide, to the outside of the plate, with his left hand, as previoulsy mentioned.
Without actually knowing Erstad personally, from watching him play, from all indications over the years, from comments he has made, from his manager, teammates, other players, he is not that type of player.
As he's coming into home, Erstad is not thinking, "Gee I dont know the guy, but I think Ill try and cripple him."
Nooooooo, Erstad could see the best way to tip the scale heavily in favor of scoring a run, is to knock the catcher into tommorrow, so he cant make a play, or drop the ball, or miss the tag, or whatever.
In the process of doing THAT, Estrada got hurt.
With all the comments from the commentators, players (excepting the Braves of course) from ESPN, saying it was a clean play, I think their opinion has a bit more validity than yours. Or mine.
Erstad had two choices, slide (and most likely have a greater chance of being out) or take out the catcher,( and increase his chance of being safe).
Looks like he made the right choice.
Erstads reputation has never been questioned, this aint the play to start.