Max Scherzer was still steaming after Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers from his fourth-inning ejection over what umpires deemed was an illegal sticky substance on his hand.
The Mets ace was livid and animated with the umps on the field, and when addressing reporters after the game, he was still adamant he had done nothing wrong.
The 38-year-old explained that his hand had become "clumpy" from rosin and sweat and was told to wash it off, which he did with alcohol, before reapplying the rosin. It remained an issue with the umps and Scherzer continued washing his hands, even in front of an MLB official in the clubhouse, and also switched gloves.
Yet, when he came back out for the fourth, he was ejected after further inspection of his hands.
"I would have to be an absolute idiot to try and do anything coming back out for the fourth," Scherzer said. "After the third inning, I wash my hand with alcohol in front of the MLB official [in the clubhouse]. I then apply rosin, then I grabbed sweat. I then go back out there and [umpire] Phil Cuzzi says my hand is too sticky. I don't get it. Yes, when you use sweat and rosin your hand is sticky. I don't get how I get ejected when I am in front of MLB officials doing exactly what you want and being deemed my hand's too sticky when I'm using legal substance. I do not understand that."
Crew chief Dan Bellino said the "level of stickiness on his hand was much worse than it was even in the initial inspection…this was the stickiest that it has been since I've been inspecting hands."
Scherzer now faces a possible 10-game suspension, although it seems likely he will appeal.
"Whether I get suspended or not," he added, "we'll see what happens."
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