Baseball History Comes Alive Now Ranked #2 by Feedspot Among All Internet Baseball History Websites and Blogs!
Guest Submissions from Our Readers Always Welcome!
THE BASEBALL HISTORY COMES ALIVE BLOG
Please note: As we compose new blog entries, we will now send each one out to all our subscribers as we post them. Here’s a link to see the entire Blog Archives -GL
June 9, 2021
New Blog Topic: YET ANOTHER CHEATING SCANDAL
Here we go again. Baseball has been hit with another scandal, undoubtedly the biggest since the so-called Steroid Era. In fact, a recent major story in Sports Illustrated was titled, THE NEW STEROIDS, with the tag line, “This Should Be The Biggest Scandal in Sports.” And lo and behold, this time Major League Baseball says it intends to do something about it. Why this time? Simple, when it was first learned that baseball’s sluggers were challenging and breaking longstanding home run records, Bud Selig and Major League Baseball turned a blind eye. The reason was money, of course. This time, however, Major League Baseball and Rob Manfred are almost in panic mode about what the pitchers are doing. The reason: money, of course.
[Ed. note: Featured photo shows Miami Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia caught on camera doctoring the ball, apparently not even concerned about being seen].
When baseball first realized its players were pumping up with anabolic steroids the game was coming off the disastrous players’ strike of 1994 that resulted in the cancellation of the World Series. Over the next few years, there were concerns about fans returning, to the point where it was recently learned that MLB was giving away hundreds of thousands of tickets and counting them as sales just to
inflate attendance numbers. The huge fan interest in the “feel good” home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998 became a national story and sparked fan interest everywhere. So it didn’t matter that the players were using illegal substances. Steroids have been deemed illegal since 1991, but there was no testing until 2003. Home runs were selling the game and bringing more money into the coffers. Only after Congress got into the act did baseball finally start doing something about it.
But the current scandal is something else. Now it’s the pitchers’ turn. Apparently more and more big-league hurlers are doctoring the ball with sticky substances to give them a better grip. It allows them to increase the spin rate on their pitches which, in turn, results in fastballs moving more and breaking pitches having a sharper, deeper break. With players swinging for home runs more than ever, some 24.2 percent of plate appearance are ending in strikeouts with fewer balls being put in play. Fans are being turned off by the lack of action as the MLB batting average is an all-time low of .236 so far in 2021.
Apparently this is nothing new and has been going on increasingly for the past two or three seasons. One recently retired pitcher has estimated that 80 to 90 percent of the pitchers are using some kind of “sticky stuff” when they’re on the mound. Pitchers are using substances such as pine tar and thickened sunscreens, or a combination of both, as well as different kinds of glues and who knows what else. As far back as 2014, Michael Pineda, then pitching for the Yankees, was busted for having pine tar smeared on his neck and received a suspension. But those incidents were few and far between. Managers are not complaining since they obviously know their own pitchers are doing the same thing. It has become so overt that when the stadiums were empty due to Covid, those in the dugout said they could actually hear the sound of friction when the ball left the pitcher’s hand.
Pitchers have been so totally dominant this season that former pitcher-turned-broadcaster Ron Darling feels that Bob Gibson’s Live Ball Era record-low earned run average of 1.12 could be broken. Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom is currently at a microscopic 0.62. Strikeout records such as Tom Seaver’s 10 in a row are at risk, as is the mark of 20 in a game if the starter isn’t pulled early via analytics. If you watch games and see the hitters swinging at air, you’ll also see the tremendous ball movement that has led to many more strikeouts than hits. And this is why MLB is sounding as if it may finally take action. They’re worried that fans are turning off to 15-25 players a game taking that slow walk back to the dugout while the fielders stand around yawning. They fear the fans are yawning, too.
The Reds’ Nick Castellanos, who happens to be leading the majors in hitting right now, is one who feels MLB has been once again taking a blind eye to the situation. “It’s illegal,” he said, speaking of the sticky stuff. “The league obviously knows that they are doing it, but the league doesn’t care. They don’t care because if it was really a problem they no longer wanted they would put people in the bullpen to check gloves, hats, whatever. The league would do something about it. But honestly, I don’t think it’s that important to them.”
Apparently it hasn’t been until now. Last week MLB held meetings for two days to discuss the sticky-stuff situation and it seems they will soon implement ways to curb and enforce something that, like steroids, is simply against the rules. Cheating. Some of the possible policing efforts that may soon be in force may include, 1. To place a greater responsibility on teams to enforce rules against doctoring the ball within their own clubs. 2. Giving the umpires authority to check caps, gloves, and uniforms for signs of illegal substances being hidden by the pitchers entering the game. They could remove the substance or the hat or glove containing it and warn pitchers that if they’re caught again they’ll be subject to ejection and disciplinary action from MLB. 3. Also step up enforcement in the minor leagues to address the problem at that level before those pitchers reach the majors.
Analytics has put an emphasis on spin rates and has let pitchers know the greater the spin rate they can generate, the more their pitches will move. Pitchers, in turn, began looking for ways to increase their spin rates and, VOILA, they discovered the sticky substance. Now MLB seems intent on putting a stop to it.
None of us were born yesterday. We’ve all heard about “getting the edge” in baseball and how it has gone on for years. There was a time when even the groundskeepers took a hand. If a team bunted often, they would slope the foul lines slightly toward the infield so a bunt would be less likely to roll foul. Or they could do the opposite if the visiting team had a tendency to bunt. Years ago, the Dodgers’ groundskeepers would make the dirt in front of home plate rock hard because the speedy Maury Willis hit a lot of Baltimore chops and if they bounced high, he’d likely beat them out. If a team had slow outfielders they could keep the outfield grass a bit higher to slow the roll on the ball. Subtle things like that we’re done for years.
But corked bats, then performance-enhancing drugs, and now sticky substances on the ball are all illegal and cheating. Ballplayers have always looked for an edge, a better way to get to the majors and stay longer. If one began to cheat, others would invariably follow as not to be left behind. The Steroid Era left a blight on the game and known and suspected users with great credentials have yet to get into the Hall of Fame. Now the fingers are pointing to the pitchers, including some of the best in the game. Were they cheating? Baseball may not want to know, but it does appear the lords of the game will try to put a stop to it. If they’re successful and the spin rates drop, they’ll know for sure and hope it ends.
But just look at history. There was a time when the spitball and the shine ball were legal. Those pitches were made illegal in 1920, but periodically over the years pitchers have been accused of still throwing the wet one and coming up with other gimmicks, like cutting the ball, to make their pitches move more.
So it’s not really surprising that pitchers have discovered yet another gimmick to give them an edge. But like the spitball, the sticky stuff is illegal. Maybe MLB will be able to stop it. The only question they should ask themselves is what’s next? And is it lurking just around the corner?
Bill Gutman
As always, we enjoy reading your comments
Here’s a link to see the entire Blog Archives
Great essay, Bill.
Actually, Homer Simpson is behind it all:
https://giphy.com/gifs/season-15-the-simpsons-15×5-3orif2Pf2G7bqetz68
On another note, Gary posted a picture of Spitball, the flavored whiskey from Cooperstown Distillery. I personally vouch for it, as I have brought bottles back on my trips to the Hall of Fame the last few years!!
Thanks Paul. Never heard of Spitball Whiskey before. I must be out of touch but I also no longer imbibe in spirits. Nor soda either. Switched to unsweetened tea and green tea. Is there a history behind Spitball Whiskey? Oh well, back to the sticky stuff. I don’t use that, either.
I like your take Bill. Baseball has seemingly always been slow to adapt to players who are always trying to get an edge on their competition. A point was made this morning that both Trevor Bauer and Gerritt Cole have had their spin rates measurably decline since attention began being paid to those higher than normal spin rates. Both are still great pitchers but if MLB follows through and enforces the existing rules, their success rate will almost surely not be as high and their current contracts might make their fans feel they are overpaid if they don’t perform to expected levels. You can’t blame them for trying and the contracts they signed are irrevocable! When MLB finally put in an enforceable and clear protocol on punishment for steroid use, players (well most of them), stopped using them. If it’s cheating – and by rules putting sticky stuff on the ball is cheating, have MLB protocols and then enforce them. But that seems too simple right?
Mark,
I think MLB will enforce as much as the CBA and MLBPA allow.
The lack of offense has reached the tipping point in the game. The fact that Manfred approved of baseballs being placed in humidors in more ballparks to address the “all or nothing” attitude of launch angle analytics. This will be step two from the other side of trying to force more using the entire field offense philosophy to prevent baseball from having one sole sponsor,—-Sominex!
You’re spot on Paul. The tipping point has been reached. I admit I did not personally factor in ‘sticky stuff’ as a leading reason for higher spin rates which speaks to my own naivete since apparently there are many in and around MLB saying all this is old news. That ‘Spider-Tack’ is the new ‘Stickum’ is I guess an old story.
Hey Mark. I have a friend, a longtime baseball fan, who feels all the players are still “on” something that probably isn’t detectable. May not be the old-school steroids, but some kind of performance enhancer. Who knows? Every now and then a player, mostly minor leaguers, still get caught using the old steroids. This one with the sticky stuff is interesting. The Mets’ Pete Alonso came out today saying he doesn’t care if the pitchers use the stuff if it gives them better control because he doesn’t want a ball to slip out of their hands and hit him in the head or face. Seems like he’s missing the point since it isn’t control that’s the issue, it’s the break on the ball, both fastballs and breaking pitches. Alonso also advanced a conspiracy theory saying MLB manipulates the baseballs in accordance with the next free agency class. He claims they’ve deadened it this year because there are potentially high-priced free agents at the end of the current season, notably the shortstop class. Says it’s a fact but offers no proof. That sounds familiar. We all know that getting the edge is as old as the sport itself, but where does it become unfair and cross the line? Let’s see what rules MLB comes up with to catch the cheaters and how many do get caught. Joel Sherman in the NY Post had a column tonight saying this issue casts aspersions on possibly innocent victims as well, citing Jacob deGrom and the incredible season he’s having so far. Will it be sullied by the sticky stuff? Oh for the days when we were innocent kids just watching baseball for the pure love of the game and not having to think about any of this.
Bill
Hey Bill,
I am a big Met fan but ‘Polar Bear’ Pete is blowing smoke. There is valid statistical evidence of increased break and movement vis a vis higher spin rates. Are players ‘on’ something today albeit different somethings? We all try hard to not ignore the possibility. The question of MLB manipulating baseballs to serve the owner’s overall purpose (make more money, pay less to players), is one to ask. It’s difficult to believe that MLB can be that accurate so as to increase or decrease all aspects of the ball by more percentage points. The weight of the ball would be the easiest thing to measure, but seam height, slickness, are not uniform across all the baseballs but in play in MLB. Yet this very season the ‘plan’ was apparently to have balls that traveled slightly less far when hit – 2 -3 feet. I just don’t feel the manufacturing of baseballs is that accurate. I do believe that players can sense an overall difference in the baseball from year to year just in terms of feel and weight. The ‘sticky stuff’ issue has to be addressed by MLB simply by enforcing the existing rules. Everyone wants to blame Rob Manfred for EVERYTHING as he’s the front man literally owned by baseball owners. No Kennesaw Mountain Landis’ exist anymore and that’s a good thing in more ways than it’s not. This would be a good time for Manfred to get everyone headed in the same direction regarding doctoring the baseball.
Hi Bill,
Do you think MLB and other professional sports are microcosms of our larger culture, collective sense of ethics and declining national respect for civility and the rule of law? To me, the evidence appears overwhelming
Your many preceding posts here on the dark influences of analytics in baseball, the alarming prevalence of illicit pharmaceuticals, body-building among would-be sluggers, swinging for downtown and reconciling oneself to a K for every three or four plate appearances were more than ample justification for those of us who care(d) about our cherished game to lose all interest. This newest cheating scandal simply tears it for me, completely and permanently.
At the same time I count myself lucky to have followed our favorite sport with the faithful enthusiasm of a religious convert from the 1940s through, let us say, the conclusion of the ’88 Series. This game was never perfect, certainly; but looking back, I think it was about then that the golden goose began to die.
Please, Bill, Gary and Bill! Let us do everything possible to keep BASEBALL HISTORY alive. The modern version has become a vast wasteland of recurring disappointment.
Appreciatively,
Michael
Know what you’re saying, Michael, and I certainly can’t argue with your initial premise. We’re certainly living in the different world today and the ramifications are everywhere, including sports. Baseball was pure joy for us growing up even though players then were trying to get an edge, some throwing the illegal spitter, other pitchers cutting the ball. But it was very different. Most of the players were blue collar workers who had to get jobs in the off season to make ends meet. Sure, they were tied to their teams by the reserve clause, which wasn’t right, but as kids none of that mattered. I was lucky enough to grow up in Connecticut, close enough to follow all three New York teams during the Golden Age of Baseball in New York. It was a joy. Now there’s no telling where it’s going with these controversies, analytics, and a boring game that they’re trying to improve with gimmicky rule changes. I think that’s why we all love the history of the game so much. It was different and dare I say . . . better.
Bill
Agree with all that.
I’m almost at a point to say, “Legalize the Spider Tack and put them all on a level playing field.” It’s a slippery slope, I know, but at this point, what can you do?
See what you’re saying, Dave. There’s always something. I have a longtime baseball fan friend who has been saying for years, why not legalize and control PEDs. They’re all doing something anyway. But then where do you draw the line? The gimmicky rules they’re considering and already using are bad enough. It just isn’t the game we grew up with and loved. That’s probably why we all love its history and continue to write about it.
Bill
Thanks for your mention, Michael. I think we’re all a part of the best baseball website extant.
Of course, you would mention 1988! Give the Dodgers great credit, though, they beat a vintage Dwight G. that fateful day. Vin Scully said, “It took a short, compact swing by Scioscia to drive that fastball over the wall to tie the game.” Yo, Jonathan Vilar, did you hear that? That was the season in a nutshell for the Dodgers. “I do not believe what I just saw!”
Bill G. always gives us thought provoking topics. Dave makes a point about legalization, but I’d rather see them crack down on the bleep they’re using.
Nice info, Mark, about the Bauer and Cole spin rates being down now. But deGrom is not guilty, right? He just keeps throwing harder.
My great friend and Brooklyn fan Donn Williams once told me about a Satchel Paige pitch he saw in June ’52 when Paige was with the St. Louis Browns. It was a Saturday at The Stadium when Ole’ Satch fanned Billy Martin on what the legend called “My hesitation pitch.” Donn claimed the ball hovered in the air and suddenly dove down across the plate for strike three! Martin dropped his bat and froze for about 20 seconds. Donn said he never saw anything like it–and he was not given to hyperbole. Did Paige doctor the ball?
You just wonder how much effect any substance really has. Please google: You Tube-Fantastic Curves, a five minute compilation of the best breaking pitches you ever saw, about 7-8 years ago. Was there Spider Tack then? And the music is sensational!
Hey Bill. Yes, we’re all having a good time with this. I’ll bet Ol’ Satch had some tricks up his sleeve that wouldn’t be legal today. I’ll have to check out that video. Speaking of deGrom, Joel Sherman had a column in the NY Post tonight wondering if innocent pitchers might not have their season’s sullied by suspicion. He mentioned deGrom’s so far incredible season and how a video posted showing him reaching or tugging at his belt might lead people to think he was using the sticky stuff. Of course, none of us know how many are using it. Is it as high as 80 or 90 percent as someone felt and I used in the blog? Or is it much less. Being a copycat game, if sticky stuff was working for some, others would obviously follow. Can they stop it? Maybe with fines and suspensions. Or will baseball become stop and frisk, with the searches of pitchers making the game even longer and more boring? Guess we’ll have to wait and see. I’ll say one thing. I sure would have loved to see an in-prime Satchel Paige pitch.
Bill
Make that: The Killer Curveball YouTube. Also has one of the great double slide put outs by a pitcher!
Wilhelm:
I would (do what you say), but I’m still trying to tease a “backward R” out of this goofy keyboard.
Besides which, “I can’t believe what you just said!” (R-R.)
–A Brooklyn fan is your great friend??! Aw shucks, Bill.
MHK
Yeah, MK, Donn left us seven years ago–we always had a mutual respect for our divergent allegiances and never gloated when one team beat the other.
In July of ’51, I bet him $5 Bobby Thomson would hit .290 by the end of the season. Just a feeling “Belting Bob” was concentrating better, though he was still mired in the .230’s. Donn jumped on the wager. After a torrid September, Thomson was at .289 heading into the playoff. But wait, the playoff games counted and Bob raked, to finish at .294!
After a few days, I sheepishly approached and said, “You know…we had a bet…” My friend flashed a withering look and snarled, “Get outtahere!”
I slinked away, glad I could do so under my own power, happy in the thought that I won a lot more than a lousy five bucks!
Great story, Bill. Made me laugh.
Hi Bill,
I would be privileged to slide into the ample shoes left empty by your dear departed Donn, of course without any pretense of being able to fill them adequately. Maybe that will put an overdue kibosh on any further pro-Gints gloating from your conveniently distant other end of the map.
(Donn should have collected the fiver from you, incidentally, ’cause The Slippery Scotsman didn’t hit .290 after all. I guess he was just too much of a gentleman to point that out.)
“Last time I’m writing,” which you (and you alone) will understand, all too well.
Kindest regards,
/s/ The New Donn
(Better Than An Old Sunset)
Is there a Little Orphan Annie decoder ring that we can buy to decipher the conversation between ML and BS? Just asking.
Good one, Paul.
Haha!
There is a Keedy Decoder Ring available, Paul, but it’s on back order. As soon as I get mine, I’ll be able to share some truly profound insights. Oh, the disadvantages of being a genius…
BTW, Bill, I also caught the Alonso response about juicing and de-juicing the baseball according to the current free agent class. He’s totally lovable, but…
Notice they seldom ask the next pertinent question on these interviews. How about, “Well, Pete, are you saying you do notice the ball carrying less off your bat now, then in 2019?”
You guys are a caution!
All of you.
Welcome to our Club of Clowns, Paul.
Michael,
My formal portrait for the club.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b2/51/0a/b2510af3afce511c0262c1e8c0b18e10.gif
Thanks, Michael. We’re so glad you think of us as amusing and surprising people!
But approach the bench with “caution” when you infer that our illustrious leader, Bill Gutman, is a clown. He might take umbrage. Of course, when it rains he takes an umbrella (cymbal and drumstick, please).
All seriousness aside…my head hurts.
Baseball has always been about cheating. As you said, “looking for an edge”. However, no one wants to watch people strike out all of the time. Just keep the playing field level(yes a pun intended with your notes about grounds keeping) for all of the players.