8 Most Painful On-Field Baseball Collisions with Video

Baseball collisions remind us that America's Pastime isn't for softies.

The following on-field incidents were painful for at least one individual. 

Any player who takes the field is susceptible to injury via opponents or teammates.

Basic communication theory preaches that pictures are more powerful than words. Moving images are especially captivating.

For that reason, I've chosen collisions with readily available video.

You'll have had to endure a lot of personal horrors not to be affected.

Carlos Santana Makes a Rookie Mistake (2010)

First-year catcher Carlos Santana was enjoying an impressive rookie campaign entering an Aug. 2 matchup with the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.

He had been flaunting remarkable plate discipline and extra-base hit power while playing adequate defense.

But this poor defensive decision reinforced the false perception that he was a bat-only player.

Boston's Ryan Kalish was coming around to score. Santana—after attempting to block home plate—had to be carted off the field.

Having not yet received the ball, the 24-year-old had zero chance of recording the out.

The only person retired on the play was him, lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka Suffers Broken Leg (2011)

Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees demonstrated good, aggressive baseball by sliding hard into Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka to break up a double play.

But sometimes accidents happen.

Nishioka had to be carried to the clubhouse in the aftermath of what he personally described as a "professional play."

He was sidelined for more than two months with a broken leg.

Albert Pujols Breaks Arm While Receiving Throw at First Base (2011)

Superstar first baseman Albert Pujols is as tough as they come.

That statement is best verified by his expedited recovery from a broken arm in the summer of 2011.

He was hurt receiving this throw at first base. Coming from across the diamond, it forced him to reach into the basepath.

The visual of him collapsing to the ground in pain says it all.

He returned to game action weeks ahead of original estimates.

Face-to-Face Smack Between Teammates Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron (2005)

New York Mets outfielders Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron converged on this sinking line drive against the San Diego Padres.

Neither made the catch. Both suffered facial fractures.

The veteran Cameron was more seriously damaged and underwent immediate surgery.

It's unfortunate that the pair would never start alongside one another—Cameron resumed his career with the San Diego Padres in 2006—but that's for the best. This defensive alignment posed problems.

Both players approached this play, for example, with a center-field mentality. Cameron didn't know any better in his first season since being relocated to right.

Nyjer Morgan Shoves Brett Hayes (2010)

Nyjer Morgan has become a lovable personality since joining the Milwaukee Brewers.

However, we cannot condone his behavior at times during 2010 when he dressed for the Washington Nationals.

In this instance, he maliciously rammed catcher Brett Hayes. Sliding would have allowed him to score...and Hayes to establish himself in the big leagues.

Instead, the result was a painful shoulder injury.

MLB catchers don't wear NHL pads. No outfit could have protected Hayes from Morgan's hockey-style hit, anyway.

The video of the collision is owned by Major League Baseball. Check it out here.

Stephen Drew Slides, Screws Up Ankle (2011)

Move the video cursor to 1:32. That is, if you have the stomach to watch Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew's ankle contort.

He is still rehabbing from sliding awkwardly into the shins of stationary backstop Jonathan Lucroy.

For a split second, Drew appears to have come away unharmed.

Then, the instant he reaches towards his cleat, it's obvious that something is amiss.

Scott Cousins Clobbers Buster Posey (2011)

Anybody who watched baseball last year—or television of any kind—has likely seen Buster Posey clobbered by Scott Cousins.

The extra-innings event from this Florida Marlins-San Francisco Giants meet-up was constantly replayed on national and local programs.

It incited debate about how the league should change its rules to keep catchers safe.

And it abruptly ended Posey's promising sophomore season.

Pete Rose Collides with Ray Fosse (1970)

If you believed the previous collision was controversial, than Pete Rose's hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star Game will have you at a loss for words.

In this exhibition, "Charlie Hustle" was evidently uninterested in reserving any energy.

Fosse thankfully didn't take long to recover.

Still, a separated shoulder probably wasn't the souvenir he expected to take home from the Midsummer Classic.

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