It was a baseball play.
While that offers little consolation for a torn MCL and broken tibia, it’s really the only thing you can say about the Chris Coghlan slide that ended Jung Ho Kang’s rookie season. The Cubs and Pirates are currently engaged in a battle for playoff position, and a win Thursday moved the Cubs to within 2 games of that top Wild Card spot. What’s more, the Cubs’ 10-6 record against the Bucs this season would ensure them the upper hand should the teams finish tied.
You can understand, then, why Coghlan was going hard into 2nd base, taking full advantage of the rules by sliding with his legs to the side while his hand was still able to reach the bag.