Pirates

Kovacevic: Jose Tabata plays for Pittsburgh

Jose Tabata knew what he was doing.

I can't have a sliver of doubt that, when he dropped that left elbow into the path of Max Scherzer's errant slider, with two outs, two strikes and a nation transfixed to their TVs awaiting the 24th perfect game in Major League Baseball history Saturday in Washington, he did so with the intent of having that ball hit him and taking first base.

Watching replay after replay, his body language couldn't be clearer.

Here, watch again for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhe7yJEaNoc

Pretty damning stuff, I'd say.

At least, it's damning if you're one of those sports fans who also thought Michael Strahan fully earned his NFL season sacks record by, uh, tackling Brett Favre on this play:

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