Doctoring the ball by pitchers considered OK? A former Angels clubhouse attendant is embroiled in a controversy over this. I was unaware that doctoring the ball was ever considered ok. The opposition also includes a declaration from Harkins in which he recalled a March 26 interview with attorneys from MLB and the Angels. During the interview, Harkins claims, he identified Cole, Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber, Joba Chamberlain, Adam Wainwright and Tyler Chatwood among the pitchers who previously asked for his specific blend of pine tar and rosin, which became popular throughout the league after he made it for former closer Troy Percival more than 20 years ago. Harkins also named several current and former Angels -- Percival, Brendan Donnelly, Kevin Jepsen, Cam Bedrosian, Keynan Middleton, Yusmeiro Petit, Luke Bard, Matt Andriese, Dylan Peters, Jose Suarez, Kaleb Cowart and Dylan Bundy -- who used the blend. Ex-Angels staffer: Cole, others doctored balls
A great baseball man. Loved by all, even non-Dodger fans. Certainly one of the most popular guys ever to coach or manage a MLB team. Love JO'Co's 2 comments above.
Has there ever been a sport where cheating was more prevalent than in baseball? Or more creative? Or more celebrated? And in some cases, tolerated?
In his final appearance at San Francisco, Giants fans stood as they attempted to boo him off the field. Tommy grabbed a microphone and told the crowd, "You don't hate me; you hate yourselves for liking me!".
Little remembered fact, Tommy Lasorda was a pitcher for the Dodgers in '54-55 of no note and was cut for a young pitcher named Sandy Koufax!
Back to the pine tar and doctoring the baseball, I recall a Series in the fall with particularly chilly weather in Detroit. Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa got together before the game and agreed that the pitchers would use pine tar to get a better grip on the baseball. Neither wanted a player unintentionally injured by a pitch that got away because of the cold weather.
FWIW... 2021 Spring Training schedule revealed September 16, 2020 Major League Baseball today announced that 2021 Spring Training presented by Camping World will officially begin on Saturday, February 27, with each of the 30 Major League Clubs in action for Cactus and Grapefruit League games. Select exhibition games will be played at Major League ballparks and Spring Training facilities from Sunday, March 28 through Tuesday, March 30. The 2021 regular season will begin with all 30 Clubs playing their opening game of the season on Thursday, April 1, featuring 10 divisional matchups among the 15 games. The complete 2021 Spring Training schedule, subject to change, is below and is also available at MLB.com/springschedule.
After torturing their fans for three months, the Yankees finally made the one move they needed to make in re-signing DJ LeMahieu. He is definitely one of the top five hitters in baseball at present and can play four different positions. They also signed Corey Kluber to a one year deal, contingent on his physical results.
Astros just sitting around. George Springer not being linked to anybody as a free agent. We did sign a Dodger relief pitcher, Pedro Baez.
RIP Don Sutton, something I didn't know about him. Only Cy Young and Nolan Ryan had more MLB starts than Sutton and he never missed a turn in the rotation in his career. On the living....George Springer is going to sign a 150M/6 year deal with the Blue Jays. Good luck to him he gave Astros fans a lot of great moments.
Looks like Michael Brantley is going to end up on Toronto along with Springer...in the meantime we have no outfield in Houston.