The Slide

"He's not afraid to get his uniform dirty" is a popular phrase among modern sportscasters. More than likely, it was first used to describe a particularly aggressive ballplayer on the base paths. None were more so than Ty Cobb, who incorporated into his base running arsenal a number of different slides that all began with his spikes aimed high at the unfortunate opponent he was approaching. Perhaps the most famous practitioner of the head-first slide was Pete Rose, whose hunger to get that extra base earned him the nickname "Charlie Hustle." While Cobb and Rose added style and flair to the practice of sliding, the slide is the most effective way to avoid a tag, break up a double play and to avoid overrunning a base. It remains one of baseball's most basic offensive fundamentals.