5. Brian Jordan and Gary Bennett (2003)
The Dodgers Brian Jordan, who also played defensive back in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons is no stranger to laying some lumber. On a Fred McGriff double into the corner of Dodger Stadium, the relay to home plate arrives right at the same time as Jordan does, and Padres catcher Gary Bennett receives the worst of those instantaneous arrivals as Jordan lays him out and the ball trickles away.
4. Josh Harrison and Yadier Molina (2012)
In what is an absolutely vicious collision at home plate, the Pirates’ Josh Harrison who has the build of a solid boulder, heads from second to home after a single into right field in which Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran comes up showing off his cannon to home plate. The collision which dislodges Molina’s headgear in dramatic fashion, has the all-star catcher extremely shaken up for a good minute. After a collective showing of respect from the opposing Pirates fans, Yadi gets up with help from the training staff and makes his way off the field.
3. Phil Bradley and Buck Martinez (1985)
In one of the most famous collisions and plays of all time, Toronto Blue Jays’ catcher Buck Martinez gets leveled by Phil Bradley and breaks his ankle in the process. In the midst of the same play, with a broken ankle, Buck still manages to make throw to third while sitting down and also receives another throw at home to get a second runner out at the plate.
2. Scott Cousins and Buster Posey (2011)
The hardest collision to watch and one that definitely makes you weak in your knees, The Giants all-star catcher Buster Posey, gets absolutely demolished by the Marlins’ Scott Cousins after he tags up on a short fly ball to right fielder Nate Shierholtz in extra innings. In what was likely the specific collision that led to serious initial discussions of potentially eliminating them from the game, Posey breaks his fibula and shreds the ligaments in his ankle after getting his leg and foot trapped underneath his body as Cousins came barreling into home plate with the momentum of a steam train. Posey would be out for the rest of that season, and while he miraculously rebounded quite nicely the following year to the tune of a regular season MVP and World Series championship, this collision will go down in history as one of the most brutal of all time.
1. Pete Rose and Ray Fosse (1970)
In the most well-known collision of all time, Pete Rose and Ray Fosse have an epic showdown at home plate in none other than the 1970 all-star game. Yes, the all-star game used to be taken seriously and this video is evidence of that. In a collision which won the game for the National League, it also epitomized the way Charlie Hustle played the game, as if every single one was his last. Speaking on the collision and his reputation of never shying away from contact, Pete said “There is no sense of ever sliding into a bag if you can’t get the bag.” While there may be certain issues in relation to Pete that were frowned upon, the way he went about his business inside the lines was and never will be in question.
