MLB released a memo Tuesday, acknowledging that beginning June 21st, players found to be using illegal foreign substances or doctoring baseballs in any way will be subject to an automatic 10-day suspension. While most would agree these changes were long overdue, not everyone is happy about the league’s proposed crackdown on grip-enhancing substances and other products that could give pitchers a perceived advantage. That includes Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty, whose tweets Tuesday would indicate he’s no fan of baseball’s foreign substance crusade.
While some of the policies outlined in Tuesday’s memo have the potential to be disruptive (former Red Sox and Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has argued that random glove and hat checks could prolong games while also throwing pitchers off their rhythm), those inconveniences are a small price to pay for restoring the game’s integrity. Curious to experience the effects of Spider Tack (which can be procured on Amazon for as little as $19.99), a number of Twitter users have experimented with the popular pitching aid, reveling in its adhesive qualities.
Flaherty’s concern over when and how sunscreen can be applied is valid, though if players use it as intended, protecting their skin (presumably during daylight hours) and not as an ingredient in some diabolical concoction, there should be no problem. Adam Wainwright, also of St. Louis, admitted to previously trying a sticky substance supplied by disgraced equipment manager Bubba Harkins (the subject of a recent Sports Illustrated profile), but said he only used it a handful of times. Meanwhile another teammate of Flaherty’s, Giovanny Gallegos, had his hat confiscated by umpire Joe West (who noticed a suspicious black mark on the bill of his cap) during an appearance last month. Gallegos remained in the game (he was issued another hat) but manager Mike Shildt was promptly ejected for arguing, which became the impetus for a lengthy, but nonetheless eye-opening, post-game monologue on baseball's "dirty little secret."
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram