Bill Nye says Eric Hosmer messed up by sliding into first (MLB.com Statcast agrees)

All of the drama of the postseason boiled down to one final contest on Wednesday as the Royals and Giants squared-off in a deciding World Series Game 7. The Giants prevailed 3-2 thanks to a manufactured run in the top of the fourth inning. 

But, the real drama unfolded in the game's first act as the Royals were threatening to break a 2-2 tie in the third. Joe Panik and the Giants effectively squashed the would-be rally with one of the best double plays you're ever going to see:

Shortly thereafter, the world's greatest science teacher and noted baseball fan Bill Nye the Science Guy took to Twitter to remind everyone that Eric Hosmer shouldn't have gone head-first into first base on that play.

World Series Science: don't dive into 1st base. Instant a runner leaves his feet, he slows down. May have cost Royals a run and the game.

- Bill Nye (@TheScienceGuy) October 30, 2014

The man's not wrong. As this MLB.com Statcast video demonstrates, a runner immediately compromises his speed when he leaves his feet.

For all of you naysayers and Devil's advocates, there are situations in which a slide to first isn't just excusable, but recommended. One such example came in World Series Game 6 when Alcides Escobar landed at first courtesy of a graceful slide to avoid a Brandon Belt's attempted tag.

All of this material will be covered on next week's midterm exam. It is NOT open book, but you will be able to use a 3x5 index card to use as you see fit, so I hope you all have been working on your tiny penmenship.