If there is one thing MLB -- not the sport, but the league -- deserves credit for, it’s an openness to at least try and change things for the better. Sure, sometimes the correction is more of an over-correction. And the complaints mount rather than dissipate.
But the latest issue to appear -- not suddenly, but it is the thing that’s gained the most attention recently -- involves the pine tar, vaseline or whatever substances pitchers are stashing on their gloves, hats, wrists, neck or wherever else that just might enhance their grips, spin rates or, again, whatever else.
There are pitchers who have gotten caught using one of these foreign substances. It is, technically, against the rules. But it’s been an overwhelmingly down year for hitters, and with that has come increasing demand for more enforcement of this widely-accepted yet ignored violation of the league’s rules.
This issue gained a ton of attention after Mike Shildt’s comments on Joe West forcing Giovanny Gallegos to change his cap after the game’s longest-tenured umpire noticed something on the bill, which apparently turned out to be sunscreen.
Here’s what the Cardinals’ skipper had to say after that May 26 game in Chicago:
“This is baseball's dirty little secret, and it's the wrong time and the wrong arena to expose it … Here's the deal. First of all, Gio wears the same hat all year. Hats accrue dirt. Hats accrue substances. ... Did Gio have some sunscreen at some point in his career to make sure he doesn't get some kind of melanoma? Possibly. Does he use rosin to help out? Possibly. Are these things that baseball really wants to crack down on? No.''
To their credit, MLB actually does intend on doing something about it. They’ll apparently announce a mandate that umpires do random checks on pitchers -- let’s see a robot do that, eh -- and position players and there will be a penalty structure in place for those that are caught.
Ok, the robots will play some role, as the league will also analyze things like spin rates to help determine if balls have been doctored.
There’s a lot to consider here.
Firstly, hitting can be down for other reasons. Maybe it’s what’s on the inside of the ball that’s doing it. And these substances probably aren't the lone reason pitchers are dominating. Just about anyone who has been around the majors or even other levels for a long time will openly talk about this issue being prevalent.
Nomar Garciaparra, the longtime Red Sox shortstop who now works as a color commentator on Dodgers broadcasts, told a story during their game against the Braves on Friday about conversations in which he warned pitchers that if a hitter puts a sticky ball in play it might make for a difficult throw for the fielder.
So, if this stuff has been going on for a long time, it can’t be solely responsible for this year’s offensive downturn. Obviously, it can be a factor. And, sure, these hitters don’t need any more disadvantages.
Bryan Reynolds, a man of few words regardless, shrugged off the idea that foreign substances are less responsible than something else MLB also seems to be figuring ways around:
“I think the bigger problem is the shift taking hits away more than I think having stick on the ball is,” Reynolds said.
Wil Crowe said after a cold April start that the ball felt like a cue ball coming out of his hand. Maybe it's not the worst thing to allow a pitcher to increase their grip on the ball. Jacob Stallings, Bryce Harper and Kevin Pillar will probably tell you that a few more RPM on a curve is preferable to a fastball to the face.
But ultimately it shouldn’t take pressure from the players or the public to actually enforce rules already on the books. Stating them in clearer terms is a step in the right direction and certainly an act of contrition.
YOUR TURN: What effect do you think these sticky substances have had on the game? Not just this season, but all-time?