Pirates fans have officially been welcomed to the Dalton Rushing Hate Train

Pittsburgh Pirates fans spent exactly one game watching Dalton Rushing before reaching the same conclusion much of the baseball world already had:

This guy is exhausting.

During the fifth inning of the Pirates' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, Rushing attempted to break up a double play by launching himself into Jared Triolo well outside the baseline. The slide was so blatant that it barely required a second look. After review, umpires correctly ruled it interference and awarded the Pirates a double play under MLB's bona fide slide rule.

And just like that, Pirates fans got their first taste of a player who seems determined to test the boundaries of what everyone else considers acceptable.

Dalton Rushing continues his mean streak with illegal slide vs Pirates

The reaction from Pirates fans was immediate. Social media filled with complaints. Some called the play reckless. Others called it dirty. A few wanted fines or suspensions. But Rushing is not the first player to attempt a takeout slide, and he won't be the last. In fact, players of previous generations would probably applaud the effort. For decades, middle infielders knew contact was part of the job. If you turned a double play, you expected a runner to come barreling toward you.

But baseball has changed. Runners are no longer allowed to veer away from the base to initiate contact. The type of slide Rushing attempted against Triolo simply isn't legal anymore, but that doesn't stop him from trying.

Earlier this season, San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez blasted Rushing after another aggressive slide involving Willy Adames.

Rushing's response? "I don't really care."

Most players would offer the standard "I was just trying to make a baseball play" explanation, but Rushing has essentially doubled down every time the topic comes up. He embraces being viewed as an old-school player who competes with an edge.

The problem is not everyone sees him that way. Many see a reckless, dirty player who repeatedly pushes boundaries and risks injuring opponents.

Triolo, for all his flaws at the plate, is one of Pittsburgh's most valuable defenders. Seeing a runner launch himself into your Gold Glove-caliber infielder is naturally going to generate some anger, especially when the play had almost no chance of being legal under today's rules.

At least Pirates fans aren't alone. The anti-Rushing crowd has been growing for months, and Tuesday night simply served as Pittsburgh's official initiation ceremony. Welcome aboard.

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