Manager Joe Maddon said he hasn't been contacted by Major League Baseball officials regarding his strong comments questioning a slide interference rule Saturday during the Cubs' 5-3 loss to St. Louis.
But Maddon, continuing to seize the moment, sarcastically revealed some proposals to make baseball safer.
"I think we should consider now eliminating the head-first slide to protect baserunners," Maddon deadpanned Sunday. "That is really a dangerous slide. To head-first slide you can hurt your hand, and your eye can be poked out. All different things can occur on a head-first slide.
"I also believe, you saw (Chris) Iannetta get hit in the mouth the other day on a pitch. I think the facemask should be mandatory for all hitters, and pitchers have been hit in head with line drives several times. Pitchers should be forced now to wear helmets."
Maddon was just getting started, adding that he recalled Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies getting nailed by a foul ball by pitcher German Marquez while in the on-deck circle on Wednesday.
"There should be a cage in the on-deck circle so on-deck guys can stand behind the screen and not get hurt," Maddon said.
"Finally, when I coached third in the minor leagues, I always wore a cup. I always was concerned. So I think there needs to be a cup check for players around the field in order to prevent the loss of future families."
All these incidents are "much more dangerous than the slide incorporated at second base by Ian Happ (in which he was called out for interference). Not even close.
"I'm on board with protectionism. Head-first slides? What's more dangerous than that?"
