10-day suspension caper

[Maxbialystock]

At first I thought it was an example of the Commissioner of MLB laying down the law--specifically, telling pitchers they will get a 10-day suspension if they apply a foreign substance to a baseball before pitching it.

 

Now I think it could be a great example of the dynamics of MLB.

 

The Sox manager, Alex Cora, takes it very seriously and has told his pitchers they should avoid the ignominy, which he himself endured, of being publicly suspended. So too did a bunch of MLB pitchers who went public and said this dictum from the commish is bs, high-handed, draconian, and possibly the end of life as we know it.

 

One pitcher said outlawing foreign substances was tantamount to allowing MLB batters to hit off of a T. Another said he ruined his arm trying to adapt to this foolish and completely unfair new emphasis on an old rule.

 

And, sure enough, over the past week or so we have seen, especially by the Sox, examples of Sox pitchers being pummeled and Sox hitters pummeling other teams' pitchers.

 

Now, however, I am beginning to wonder. For example, not one pitcher has yet been nailed for doctoring a baseball. No manager has blown the whistle on an opposing pitcher, nor has any umpire.

 

Here are the scores from yesterday/last night: 1-0, 11-10, 7-1, 5-3, 9-1, 7-5, 10-2, 5-3, 2-1, 6-5, 11-3, 3-0, 5-3, 8-2, 5-1. One game, Pirates over Guardians 11-10, can be called a slugfest. But Nats over Mets, 1-0, was a pitching duel, ditto Astros over ChiSox, 2-1, and Dodgers over Diamondbacks, 3-0. In 12 of those games at least one team scored 3 runs or fewer.

 

Like most everyone else on talksox, I watched last night's game, pretty much expecting Pivetta, who earlier was so good, to get hammered again as he was June 12 by the Jays (6 runs in 5 innings). Instead I saw him throwing what I thought were some pretty good sliders and knuckle curves. He gave up 3 runs on a 3 run dinger off a fat fastball near the center of the zone. The next 2 runs by the Royals were off of Andriese, who Cora has used sparingly this year because he stinks. The Royals pitching, on the other hand, had no problem holding the Sox 3d best offense in MLB (3d best OPS, 3d most runs scored) to 3 runs.

 

So, me, I'm beginning to think the Commish ain't really running the show. He may be right that MLB-wide batting averages are the lowest in 50 years and that one reason for that is pitchers habitually doctoring the baseball to get the right spin rate or whatever. I would add those computer-generated defensive formations have played a role, as have hitters inclinations to swing more upward to hit over those same defensive formations.

[vegasbob]

I agree that the defensive positioning with an infielder either right up the middle or playing shortfield in RF or LF has taken away many traditional hard ground ball or line drive singles.

Aside from hitters getting paid for the long ball, more than singles, why not upswing for the longfly than beat a shift that will rob you of previously typical hits ? Coupled with strikeout ' accumulations not seeming to matter much, no wonder they are swinging big uppercuts.

[dgalehouse]

As long as hitters swing for the fences , even with two strikes, there will be lots of strikeouts. Spin rates notwithstanding, the basics of hitting are to meet the ball ( don't try to kill it) , shorten up with two strikes and use the whole field. But the home run rules right now.

[Larry Cook]

Why don’t more hitters bunt against the shift? Easy hit just sitting there.

[vegasbob]

Why don’t more hitters bunt against the shift? Easy hit just sitting there.

 

Easy hit if correctly executed. Watching plenty of games in the AL where the ability to control the bat and hands enough to "catch" the ball coming and , redirect it along the baseline and run like hell is not that easy without a lot of reps. Who currently goes to the cage for a 100 bunting reps?

[Bellhorn04]

Pitchers will have to adapt to this, it's as simple as that.

[Maxbialystock]

At first I thought it was an example of the Commissioner of MLB laying down the law--specifically, telling pitchers they will get a 10-day suspension if they apply a foreign substance to a baseball before pitching it.

 

Now I think it could be a great example of the dynamics of MLB.

 

The Sox manager, Alex Cora, takes it very seriously and has told his pitchers they should avoid the ignominy, which he himself endured, of being publicly suspended. So too did a bunch of MLB pitchers who went public and said this dictum from the commish is bs, high-handed, draconian, and possibly the end of life as we know it.

 

One pitcher said outlawing foreign substances was tantamount to allowing MLB batters to hit off of a T. Another said he ruined his arm trying to adapt to this foolish and completely unfair new emphasis on an old rule.

 

And, sure enough, over the past week or so we have seen, especially by the Sox, examples of Sox pitchers being pummeled and Sox hitters pummeling other teams' pitchers.

 

Now, however, I am beginning to wonder. For example, not one pitcher has yet been nailed for doctoring a baseball. No manager has blown the whistle on an opposing pitcher, nor has any umpire.

 

Here are the scores from yesterday/last night: 1-0, 11-10, 7-1, 5-3, 9-1, 7-5, 10-2, 5-3, 2-1, 6-5, 11-3, 3-0, 5-3, 8-2, 5-1. One game, Pirates over Guardians 11-10, can be called a slugfest. But Nats over Mets, 1-0, was a pitching duel, ditto Astros over ChiSox, 2-1, and Dodgers over Diamondbacks, 3-0. In 12 of those games at least one team scored 3 runs or fewer.

 

Like most everyone else on talksox, I watched last night's game, pretty much expecting Pivetta, who earlier was so good, to get hammered again as he was June 12 by the Jays (6 runs in 5 innings). Instead I saw him throwing what I thought were some pretty good sliders and knuckle curves. He gave up 3 runs on a 3 run dinger off a fat fastball near the center of the zone. The next 2 runs by the Royals were off of Andriese, who Cora has used sparingly this year because he stinks. The Royals pitching, on the other hand, had no problem holding the Sox 3d best offense in MLB (3d best OPS, 3d most runs scored) to 3 runs.

 

So, me, I'm beginning to think the Commish ain't really running the show. He may be right that MLB-wide batting averages are the lowest in 50 years and that one reason for that is pitchers habitually doctoring the baseball to get the right spin rate or whatever. I would add those computer-generated defensive formations have played a role, as have hitters inclinations to swing more upward to hit over those same defensive formations.

 

It turns out my theory was a little early. Enforcement won't begin until Monday, 2 days from now. So it is entirely possible the dictum will be enforced, which would wipe out my theory.

 

As for the pitchers, I agree with bellhorn they will have no choice but to comply/adjust.

[Larry Cook]

What team’s pitcher gets caught first?

 

San fran?

Rays?

Mets?

[moonslav59]

What team’s pitcher gets caught first?

 

San fran?

Rays?

Mets?

 

Yankees

[jacksonianmarch]

If the Yanks get caught then they’re not using the right stuff. Our pitching went into the shitter after the announcement

[Bellhorn04]

If the Yanks get caught then they’re not using the right stuff. Our pitching went into the shitter after the announcement

 

Join the club.

[Kimmi]

As long as hitters swing for the fences , even with two strikes, there will be lots of strikeouts. Spin rates notwithstanding, the basics of hitting are to meet the ball ( don't try to kill it) , shorten up with two strikes and use the whole field. But the home run rules right now.

 

Bingo. Dalbec stated that his recent good performance is due to him choking up on the bat. You almost never see players do that anymore.

[Kimmi]

Pitchers will have to adapt to this, it's as simple as that.

 

I think MLB has really done a poor job in the way they are handling the 'foreign substance' issue.

 

That said, pitchers who use foreign substances are cheating and they really don't have any room to complain. They are, in essence, complaining that they can't cheat anymore. To me, that's not a good look for the pitchers.

[a700hitter]

I think MLB has really done a poor job in the way they are handling the 'foreign substance' issue.

 

That said, pitchers who use foreign substances are cheating and they really don't have any room to complain. They are, in essence, complaining that they can't cheat anymore. To me, that's not a good look for the pitchers.

Bring back the spitball.

[Kimmi]

Bring back the spitball.

 

Ha. Maybe MLB should stop tinkering with the baseballs (and everything else they've been tinkering with).

[Bellhorn04]

I think MLB has really done a poor job in the way they are handling the 'foreign substance' issue.

 

That said, pitchers who use foreign substances are cheating and they really don't have any room to complain. They are, in essence, complaining that they can't cheat anymore. To me, that's not a good look for the pitchers.

 

I disagree. Everyone inside the game has known about this a long time and it's been sanctioned.

 

The only reason anything was done was that the science of the substances improved to the point that it was noticeable.

[Kimmi]

I disagree. Everyone inside the game has known about this a long time and it's been sanctioned.

 

The only reason anything was done was that the science of the substances improved to the point that it was noticeable.

 

That is on MLB for not enforcing the rules.

 

That would be like saying it's okay to use PEDs because everyone was doing it and it was more or less sanctioned.

 

Same thing with stealing signs.

 

Now, I believe that pitchers should be allowed to use some sort of MLB approved substance on the ball. But as long it's against the rules, I don't think the pitchers have a right to complain.

[Bellhorn04]

That is on MLB for not enforcing the rules.

 

That would be like saying it's okay to use PEDs because everyone was doing it and it was more or less sanctioned.

 

Not exactly.

 

A number of hitters have come out and said they were fine with pitchers using sticky stuff because they'd prefer that to getting hit in the head.

 

It didn't become a performance-related issue until recently, for some reason.

 

Maybe it was the combination of Spider Tack and the new baseballs with higher seams.

[notin]

Not exactly.

 

A number of hitters have come out and said they were fine with pitchers using sticky stuff because they'd prefer that to getting hit in the head.

 

It didn't become a performance-related issue until recently, for some reason.

 

Maybe it was the combination of Spider Tack and the new baseballs with higher seams.

 

Much like with the steroid issues, teams have hired chemists to develop newer, better, stickier substances…

[Bellhorn04]

Much like with the steroid issues, teams have hired chemists to develop newer, better, stickier substances…

 

Yep. Human beings never know when to quit with technology.

[notin]

Yep. Human beings never know when to quit with technology.

 

Michael Crichton’s exact point in “Jurassic Park”…

[Larry Cook]

My cousin is a chemist with Michelin and his department has done work with several baseball agents.

 

Never doubt people’s desire for an edge.

[Maxbialystock]

Bingo. Dalbec stated that his recent good performance is due to him choking up on the bat. You almost never see players do that anymore.

 

Last night against the Rays Dalbec struck out 4 times against 4 different pitchers. The rest of the Sox lineup struck out 7 times. Dalbec may not yet be in the promised land, but I agree choking up was a good idea (his own).

[Maxbialystock]

Not exactly.

 

A number of hitters have come out and said they were fine with pitchers using sticky stuff because they'd prefer that to getting hit in the head.

 

It didn't become a performance-related issue until recently, for some reason.

 

Maybe it was the combination of Spider Tack and the new baseballs with higher seams.

 

I gotta go with Kimmi on this and consider the "I'm losing control of my pitches and might hit someone" excuse to be total bs. They lose control because they have over-relied on illegal substances on the ball and refuse to adapt.

 

I am astounded by the public remarks by some pitchers. One claims he ruined his arm because he was trying to adjust to not using illegal substances to doctor up the baseball. Another said that the Commish's threat of a 10 day suspension is tantamount to letting hitters hit off a T.

 

To me there is no difference between using steroids and doctoring up the baseball.

 

Completely ignored in all this brouhaha are the pitchers who haven't doctored up the baseball.

 

All that said, I like watching a game in which the pitching on both sides is good.

 

However, I'm also a Sox fan, and no sensible Sox fan believes in the importance or value of great pitching because the Sox franchise is horrible at developing good pitchers and very much prefers to go to Walmart, or, better yet, Tiffany's to buy their pitchers.

[notin]

I gotta go with Kimmi on this and consider the "I'm losing control of my pitches and might hit someone" excuse to be total bs. They lose control because they have over-relied on illegal substances on the ball and refuse to adapt.

 

I am astounded by the public remarks by some pitchers. One claims he ruined his arm because he was trying to adjust to not using illegal substances to doctor up the baseball. Another said that the Commish's threat of a 10 day suspension is tantamount to letting hitters hit off a T.

 

To me there is no difference between using steroids and doctoring up the baseball.

 

Completely ignored in all this brouhaha are the pitchers who haven't doctored up the baseball.

 

All that said, I like watching a game in which the pitching on both sides is good.

 

However, I'm also a Sox fan, and no sensible Sox fan believes in the importance or value of great pitching because the Sox franchise is horrible at developing good pitchers and very much prefers to go to Walmart, or, better yet, Tiffany's to buy their pitchers.

 

1. Totally agree on steroids vs. doctoring baseballs. Cheating is cheating.

 

2. Whatever happened to the Mississippi Mud that every team is required to smear into baseballs before every game?

 

3. It does seem like some pitchers and MLB itself have lost sight of the fact that all of this “using foreign substances to get a better grip” was originally implemented because Roy Chapman was killed by being hit by a pitch.

 

This is, what, 2021 now? We put a man on the moon over 50 years ago and yet we still haven’t figured out a way to get a better grip on a baseball?

[Elktonnick]

1. Totally agree on steroids vs. doctoring baseballs. Cheating is cheating.

 

2. Whatever happened to the Mississippi Mud that every team is required to smear into baseballs before every game?

 

3. It does seem like some pitchers and MLB itself have lost sight of the fact that all of this “using foreign substances to get a better grip” was originally implemented because Roy Chapman was killed by being hit by a pitch.

 

This is, what, 2021 now? We put a man on the moon over 50 years ago and yet we still haven’t figured out a way to get a better grip on a baseball?

 

It isn't Mississippi Mud it is from the banks of the Delaware River. Back in the day the umpires used to rub up the baseballs now I think the teams do it.

[notin]

It isn't Mississippi Mud it is from the banks of the Delaware River. Back in the day the umpires used to rub up the baseballs now I think the teams do it.

 

It has its nicknames, but all of it comes from a sole sourced family business that keeps the exact location secret. A&E featured the current proprietor on an episode of “Dirty Jobs” and he wouldn’t do the episode without first blindfolding the cast and crew of the show before taking them to his source for filming…

[dgalehouse]

It's the way of the world. So many people trying to bend the rules a bit to get an edge. How many totally honest people are there ? What we are seeing in MLB now however is a travesty, an embarrassment to the game. Yesterday you had umpires running their fingers through Max Scherzers' hair . You had Sergio Romo dropping his pants for an inspection. I really don't blame the umps. They are being forced to make themselves look like idiots ( not that some of them need to be forced ) by the idiot commissioner. It's really ridiculous. How is any of this crap helping the sport ? Make a baseball that is easier to grip. Is that really so hard to do?

[Maxbialystock]

I'm in favor of making pitchers adjust to an old rule, but you make some good points.

[Elktonnick]

It has its nicknames, but all of it comes from a sole sourced family business that keeps the exact location secret. A&E featured the current proprietor on an episode of “Dirty Jobs” and he wouldn’t do the episode without first blindfolding the cast and crew of the show before taking them to his source for filming…

 

The point is it is not from Mississippi It is from the New Jersey side of the Delaware River.