Major League Baseball’s long-rumored enforcement of the prohibition on foreign substance use took effect during an eight-game schedule on Monday. With a full slate of games on Tuesday, last night marked the first time all thirty teams were subject to increased monitoring. The process wasn’t without controversy, including an ugly back-and-forth between the Nationals and Phillies when Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi asked umpires to examine Washington starter Max Scherzer for a third time on the night after noticing him touch his hair. (The inspection, like the first two, revealed no illicit substances). After expressing some frustration with Girardi, Scherzer called out commissioner Rob Manfred, saying “These are Manfred rules — go ask him what he wants to do with this. I’ve said enough.”
Manfred spoke with Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic and Tyler Kepner of the New York Times in separate interviews this afternoon, addressing last night’s developments and the future of foreign substance enforcement. Despite the Phillies-Nationals incident, Manfred opined that the overall enforcement process has “gone very well” (via Ghiroli). He pointed out that no MLB pitcher has been ejected and suggested the between-innings screenings, by and large, haven’t slowed down the pace of games. While Manfred conceded that last night’s scene in Philadelphia was “less than ideal,” he suggested the “vast majority” of inspections would proceed without incident.
In the wake of Girardi’s ultimately fruitless suspicions regarding Scherzer, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw suggested there be repercussions (perhaps the forfeiture of a replay challenge) for a manager who asks umpires to check an opposing pitcher who isn’t ultimately found to be wielding any illicit substances. Manfred didn’t seem receptive to such a plan, at least at this time.
“Managers have always had the right to challenge or ask the umpires to inspect somebody for the use of foreign substances,” he told Ghiroli. “I have great respect for two aspects of managers: a) their understanding for what’s going on the field and b) the good judgment they have in terms of not creating spectacles on the field. … As of right now, I’m comfortable with the rule the way it is. We did make a point, we appreciated the possibility of gamesmanship, and if in fact it becomes a problem we will deal with it.”
Manfred also pushed back against Scherzer’s characterization of foreign substance enforcement as a one-way, league-driven change. “It would be incorrect, blatantly incorrect, to assume that the players and the union did not a) provide input into what we are doing and b) have additional opportunities to provide input that they did not take advantage of,” Manfred told Ghiroli. The commissioner pointed to the memo about a potential crackdown the league sent to clubs in Spring Training, as well as the number of reports of imminent enforcement in the few weeks preceding MLB’s announcement, as evidence that those on the players’ side were kept in the loop throughout the process. (Ghiroli heard from a league source last week who claimed the MLB Players Association had been given opportunity to weigh in on the enforcement effort but chose not to do so).
The commissioner also suggested the league was seeing some desired results. He alluded to the dip in leaguewide spin rates that followed shortly after MLB expressed its intention to crack down on sticky stuff. He also pointed to recent upticks in leaguewide offensive numbers when speaking with Kepner. (The commissioner didn’t address the potential effects of weather, however. Offense tends to climb as the weather warms every season. It’s certainly plausible the crackdown on foreign substances has contributed to increased offense in recent weeks, but it’s not the only potential variable).
However one feels about the necessity of the league’s efforts, Manfred’s assertion that the “vast majority” of inspections would proceed without incident seems a bit simplistic. Technically, of course, it’s true; incidents like last night’s Scherzer-Girardi debacle will be much less common than cases of pitchers passing examinations without issue. But instances where the process doesn’t proceed smoothly are certainly going to draw plenty of attention, just as last night’s did.
Perhaps that’s a necessary evil, but MLB certainly doesn’t want that kind of situation to become commonplace. (For what it’s worth, Astros manager Dusty Baker- while not directly addressing Manfred’s comments- predicted we’re “going to see a whole bunch of stuff” like last night’s drama when speaking with Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). Nevertheless, Manfred suggested mandatory inspections will continue indefinitely, with the league continuing to check pitchers regularly until he is convinced the foreign substance problem has been stamped out and would not “reassert itself” (via Kepner).
One potential solution that has been speculated upon would involve the creation of a tackier baseball. Manfred said the league is looking into the creation of a substance that could legally be applied to the ball to improve grip (presumably one that doesn’t dramatically enhance pitchers’ spin rates) but suggested it was unlikely to be ready in 2021. “We’re looking into it with a view that at some point, we would have a substance that we could use on all baseballs,” Manfred told Kepner. “I think it’s much more likely that would happen in a future year.”
Manfred’s conversations with Ghiroli and Kepner are both well worth full perusals for those interested in the foreign substance saga.
OMG Egon Spengler Is 16!
Bud Selig could probably still take Manfred in a fight, even without steroids.
dimitriinla
Selig ended up being very good (remarkable in many ways) and Manfredi shows signs of also being very good. His main problem right now is winning over the public as well as players but that shouldn’t be the main criterion for assessing him.
His positions re this matter, eg, seem very sound.
its_happening
Selig started this process. Manfred sped it up. Selig deserves no praise with the mess that was made under his watch.
StlSwifty
Please tell me I’m not the only fan who thinks it is absolutely asinine to suspend pitchers for “sticky stuff” when there wasn’t a single player suspended when the Astros LITERALLY CHEATED THEIR WAY TO A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP. Manfred is the biggest joke MLB has ever seen and he is absolutely ruining the game for fans right now. Baseball has a huge manfred problem on their hands right now.
jjd002
Astros weren’t the only team – stop being super dense. 10 games with pay isn’t a punishment.
schwender
Who on the Astros are you specifically going to suspend?
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Suspend the Garbage Can. Actually, the Can should go into the Hall of Fame.
dixoncayne
Assuming ball players want to play ball and not leave their team shorthanded, it is a punishment
EndinStealth
Yeah, they kinda where. Sure almost every team has stolen signs at some point. But nothing had ever been done quite to their level. They were selfish and dumb. That’s a bad combination.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Manfred is a boob & he can stick the A.S game up his A.S.S
thethrill
@StlSwifty While I agree that whomever cheated on the Astros should have been suspended, the reason no player was is because they were given immunity by the commissioner in exchange for testimony. I guess he thought no one would talk unless they were promised that they would not get punished. Unless i’m mistaken, I’ve never seen any player who used Roids or other banned substance get immunity. IMO he shouldn’t have the power to offer players immunity.
Cosmo2
Different situation, the Astros. Again, it was the players union that made punishment for the Astros impossible.
Hit4me
Found your burner account Manfred! You’re not fooling anyone.
jimmuscomp
Ha!
dpsmith22
EXCEPT it was in the middle of the season as out of no where. If you call that sound, that’s your opinion.
jaash5
manfred is an absolute a**clown that is destroying the game, he should be run out of town in a rail…
themed
Very good? I haven’t seen one rule change that’s been good for baseball in the last 10 years. Most have been absolutely horrible. I can’t stand the way the game is played and I know I’m not alone. It reminds me of little league games.
Kayrall
While I think the rules should overall be enforced, I feel like the players should all continue using these substances until the league comes clean and includes them in the altered baseball formula discussions.
kingken67
I tend to agree if only because MLB freely admits they changed the manufacturing of the ball in ways that have made it tougher to grip without any input from the players. Manfred said they are looking at either making the ball itself a little tackier or in coming up with an approved substance for the pitchers to use but that it wont be ready for use this year. Until then, considering they already changed the ball, maybe they should roll back this enforcement and try again with all of this next year when they have a chance to work out those other details. You know, a sensible, thought out approach vs the chaos MLB seems to self inflict constantly.
themed
What about the rule that you have to make an effort to getting out of the way of an inside pitch? That’s never enforced ever. These guys wearing all of their armor step into those pitches on purpose. If your not calling that rule then make them take off their sissy pads and then take a pitch in the ribs.
iverbure
I like max stomping his feet like a child. Ask Bohm how he likes a fastball under his chin? God forbid pitchers take some velo off of a pitch for some more control. Guys might be able to throw more than a 100 pitches and 5 innings.
Android Dawesome
I dont know. Seems like the first two times he was pretty compliant. How many times would you take being falsely accused of cheating before taking personal? Seems like Girardi was the one stomping his feet when he took to the field trying to fight people.
SoxRewl
Yep. Girardi has always been the kind of guy to poke a stick in the hornets nest. I don’t have a dog in the race in the NL so no preferential opinion here, but it sure looked to me like he was trying to throw Max off his game.
Quite disgraceful for someone who is supposed to be managing young men and teaching them the way they’re supposed to play the game.
its_happening
Bohm can stand further from the plate and wear a motorcycle helmet if that alleviates the problem. It’s not just velocity that’s the problem. One component of many.
dshires4
Manfred’s tone is always so condescending. He might foresee the majority of the interactions not playing out like the Girardi-Scherzer one, but the fact that it did play out like it did is a problem. It’s borderline harassment of pitchers if what happened to Scherzer can happen to any pitcher without a countermeasure.
JW2499
^This is correct!
dimitriinla
I agree re his tone. It’s something he’ll need to work on.
SheaGoodbye
The way he has talked about and treated Trout in the past has downright pissed me off. And I’m not even an Angels fan. Totally disrespectful.
ElysianPark
And don’t forget–the World Series trophy is “just a piece of metal.”
Manfred has little credibility.
Joe says...
In Manfred’s defense on the “piece of metal” remarks, maybe he was just referring to the 2017 trophy.
dpsmith22
True. Wise move to harass your games best player. Manfred is a disgrace.
GASoxFan
Long before mlb sent a memo in 2020 ST to stop using/cheating.
Long before mlb sent the memo in 2021 ST to stop using/cheating.
Long before mlb: did open testing and collections of equipment that MLB players watched happen in 2021; started suspending MiLB pitchers who were caught using/cheating:sent memos to teams identifying the 2021 testing results; mlb reached out to mlbpa tor input on increasing 2021 enforcement of EXISTING prohibitions on using/cheating; and memos were sent to teams outlining the start date (with grace period) and exact penalties to be levied…
Long long before all that MLB managers ALWAYS had the right in every game for decades to request an umpire examine a pitcher, mid inning, for banned substances. And some managers did, something finding something, sometimes not. But the RIGHT to request it was there.
There was no harassment, aside from what the WAS coaches did to goad girardi, and of course, girardi’s response back towards only those WAS coaches – nothing against scherzer who acted like a spoiled brat.
So why was asking to have scherzer checked no longer OK? Its been a right managers had for longer than most fans have been watching games.
fabulous61
@GASoxFan, it was said that when umpires started checking pitchers that opposing managers/coaches could no longer request a pitcher be checked so why did they check at Girardi’s request. I don’t like Scherzer but that was in what I read was going to take place starting on Monday. If they added in that an opposing manager couldn’t request a pitcher be checked then Girardi should have automatically been ejected. If that GOON Manfred was going to do anything he needs to ban the shift. There should be 2 infielders on the dirt between 1b and 2b and 2 on the dirt between 2b and 3b just like the game was designed to be played.
GASoxFan
@fabulous – problem with your thought is, that they never did away with the ability of managers to ask for a check of the pitcher, just that it has to wait until after an AB is concluded.
johnrealtime
Well I mean he had already been checked twice. When has a manager ever requested that a pitcher be checked a third time?
seth3120
I was on board with this rule to level the playing field between pitchers who don’t use a substance and those who do but coming from Manfred I’ve been misled. Sounds like it’s just about more offense
its_happening
Seth for the win. All about pushing more offense.
BeforeMcCourt
He put his fingers in his ears and says ITS GOING GREAT
If teams are smart they’ll downplay the gamesmanship till Sept and oct. he’ll be making rules for ST
Monkey’s Uncle
Manfred doesn’t ever seem to understand or care that so many of us don’t believe anything he says.
dimitriinla
And he shouldn’t care really; that’s a you problem. He needs to make good decisions and he seems more than capable in that department.
bigjonliljon
It’s not a problem. Too many people don’t seem to understand … the commissioner works for the owners. Not the players. The owners pay his salary. In a sense… he is an owners puppet. His role is not to take care of the players. His role is to do what the owners want done.
Cosmo2
Shouldn’t the commissioner’s role be to look out for all of baseball? I understand that de facto he’s just an advocate for the owners but does that really have to be his job? Is it really supposed to be that way?
stymeedone
It should, but because the owners who hired him can fire him, he will be aware of their position, and not support it at his own peril.
dpsmith22
you really think the owners asked him to do this? Do you really think the players alliance/owners asked him to move the All-Star game? Not bloody likely.
Monkey’s Uncle
I understand completely who he works for. Just because he works for the owners doesn’t mean he has to always appear so tone-deaf and uncaring, not to mention untrustworthy, towards the fans.
Oldman58
If he’s capable of making good decisions then why hasn’t he made any
tedtheodorelogan
Putting a runner on second in extra innings is the worst decision in the history of baseball rules.
ZabbiaI
Good decisions like changing the rules & putting a runner on 2nd to start extra innings? Or forcing a pitcher to pitch a minimum # of batters?
I see far more bad decisions than good in his short tenure.
YankeesBleacherCreature
The league has been talking about shortening game times. I personally don’t like the changes as well but you have to give Manfred credit for achieving that. He can come up with ideas but it’s ultimately the owners who have the final say.
Jonny5
The problem is, they haven’t gotten shorter. Averaging 3 hours 9 minutes this season, which is the 2nd highest season ever, behind only 2019 (3 hours 10 minutes).
jim stem
There is over a 2 minute break between every half inning. That’s a minimum of 17 breaks. Right there you have over 35 minutes of added game time. Now factor in NY replay reviews and 8 pitching changes and you have another 35 minutes of lost game time. There is an additional 70 minutes alone added to the actual telecast.
dpsmith22
Wow, you actually wrote that Manfred is capable? I guess Manfred’s moving of the All-Star game was beneficial? Him instantly enforcing a rule that literally 95% of baseball doesn’t follow and their opponents don’t want them to, mid-season. The entire Astros scandal was handled incredibly poorly from top to bottom. So in 7 years 3 incredibly poor management decision came from him and his office and you find him ‘capable’? Wow.
johnrealtime
It was beneficial in that it brought more attention to what was happening in Georgia. I believe it was the right call but whether you agree with me probably has more to do with political leanings than anything else and thus is pointless to discuss
dpsmith22
What was happening in Georgia? Georgia had proof their elections were tainted so they implemented rules to keep it from happening again. So sorry you can’t vote without ID. So sorry you can’t vote in a district your not registered in. Yea these rules are so unjust, I will take the game away. Even though the place I moved it from has 40% black owned businesses and the place I moved it to, is purely, rich, white. let us not forget Braves have no owner, no representation at the meetings….it was done because the Democratic party asked them to. Period.
MWeller77
dpsmith: There is zero credible evidence that GA’s elections were “tainted.” If you don’t believe me, ask their Republican Secretary of State. You are spreading a harmful lie about elections.
TradeBait
We get it, you love you some Manfred. Just like his response on this issue, you and your boy Manfred don’t get it. It’s targeting. Which messes with the targeted players’ and team’s heads. What’s not to understand about a pitcher getting targeted three times in the same game with zero rules violations?
Which is the intention. It destroys the flow of the game and makes the emphasis be on cheating instead of on playing the game. The fans and players did not sign up for that. Without them, there is no baseball, no Manfred, no team owners, no umpires, no nothing for the sport. If you catch a guy cheating, do something. But to target without evidence or penalty for being wrong is messing in your nest.
Manfred has been a disaster. Keep watching, there will be more he creates or screws up.
BeforeMcCourt
A you problem? More like “ commissioners are slimey liars historically and manfred has don’t nothing to eliminate himself from that stereotype
He’s worried about $$. Offense brings money. He couldn’t give an F about baseball as a game and it’s history
Cosmo2
Manfred’s decisions are liked by like 1% of the population and half them don’t even like baseball. Manfred is doing way more harm than good. He has solutions without problems and problems without solutions.
Joel Peterson
He just talks like a lawyer. Because he is one. Winning an argument is cool occasionally but not ALL THE TIME! And that’s what lawyers think like they think they should always win. Good gosh. These are the kind of people running the country. Terrible terrible people.
oldmansteve
I’d rather have lawyers running the country that MLBTR commenters
Dustyslambchops23
Are those the only two options ?
ZabbiaI
Lawyers already run the country. I’d say we’re no worse off with the commenters here versus the corrupt pieces of crap currently in place.
jd396
I’m about to the point where I’d rather be ruled by people selected at random out of the phone book
dpsmith22
Ding. Give that man a prize.
Colt 45
“I would rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the telephone directory than by the Harvard University faculty.”
WFB
BeforeMcCourt
It’s one thing to be a lawyer and logically reach your conclusions with all the variables considered
It’s a whole other thing to win your case on semantics by quoting statistics that sound nice, and maybe encircle the key issue, but are intentionally vague and all inclusive to make your argument appear stronger to people who are too lazy to check if your full of BS
Both can win the case. One is just a lot more ethical and actually shows you care about your clients situation as a whole. The other is Manfred
Dustyslambchops23
Please just resign, please.
Gwynning
Get off your knees, Manfred… you’re blowing the game!
A'sfaninUK
Again, its’ the very public, live, on-field, on-tv view of the exchange being shown that is the absolute worst part of it and is something 0% of fans actually want to see. Do it off-tv camera (but keep it on an internal camera that can be shown if anything happens later). There’s plenty of room in every dugout to allocate an area to do it in that isn’t so public.
It’s this phony authoritative, this “make the pitchers scared” attitude Manfred has that is particularly disgusting. I honestly don’t have a problem with this happening, but I never ever want to see it, unless it’s after a commercial break and the commentators greet me with “well someone didn’t pass the test, we have a new pitcher!” – stop centering the rulebreakers and the bad things, and instead focus on the game at hand and the joys of the game, end of story.
Sideline Redwine
I thought Bud Selig was a joke. But wow, Manfred makes him look competent. This is the best mlb can do?
Can we impeach him???
dimitriinla
How was Selig a joke? Really.
Jonny5
Let’s see…the 2002 all-star game that ended in a tie. Giving the winner of the all-star game home field advantage. His refusal to expand instant replay. And let’s not forget the 1994 strike and canceled world series.
jd396
It’s business stuff with Selig. He was a snake. Manfred is fiddle-F’ing around with seemingly every aspect of the core of the game of baseball itself and doing it with reckless disregard for the consequences.
dpsmith22
How about him turning a blind eye to the steroid scandal and how the aftermath is STILL going on? Some guys in the Hall some not. Some guys having their careers down the toilet, some not. Hello? LA must have different air or something.
AzTigersfan
In every way possible. The all star linked to the world series for one
jjd002
Amazing what time does for someone’s image. Manfred has a ways to go to catch him.
BeforeMcCourt
Only to the uninformed
Benjamin560
Manfred is a joke. First the All-Star Game, now this. I refuse to purchase any MLB merchandise or tickets until he steps down or is removed from office.
skim milk
show of hands everyone, let’s see who cares…
30 Parks
Manfred works for the owners and it shows. No tact – none.
A'sfaninUK
@30 parks – bingo. He’s a stooge for the owners and hates all the players, straight up.
oldmansteve
I’ve heard when he visits clubhouses, he spits in the coolers and gives them all wedgies.
bigjonliljon
I wouldn’t say hates the players…. Just that his job description has nothing to do with making the players happy
dpsmith22
again you assume the owners asked for this.
Vizionaire
manfraud to the netherworld!
jdgoat
Maybe they should just do AL is spider tack only, and NL is clean ball only.
A'sfaninUK
100% of hitters would be requesting a trade to the NL
Vizionaire
what if the home plate ump keeps a box of hard rosin and let pitchers swipe their fingers before every inning?
CrookedAsstros
Rob Manfred is a cancer to Major League Baseball
bigjonliljon
And you are an uniformed idiot. You don’t realize the role of the commissioner evidently. Go read some before commenting again become informed
ZabbiaI
Is his role to make fans not want to watch? If so, it’s working like a charm thus far.
dpsmith22
His role is simple. Make decisions that are best for the game. Not sure moving the AS game accomplished that.
someoldguy
So there i am My pitcher had a long inning.. their pitcher gets out the 1st 2 batters.. and I make a scene and demand they do a full cavity inspections… just so my pitcher could have a longer break.. The only solution is to make inspections available before or after an inning…
GASoxFan
The idea of mid inning inspections is to prevent a pitcher from being able to cheat unchecked and alter a whole game.
If a pitcher cheats and finishes an AB, umpires can possibly alter the call for that last out. If a pitcher is found to have cheated after an inning is over they don’t go replay the inning, it’s not in the rules.
Why does it matter? Say your team has runners at the corners 0 out, or bases loaded 1 out, down a run. A reliever comes in who promptly is cheating. Do you want you opponent to remain in the game. Erase your rally, and have your team lose?
Or do you want your manager to immediately challenge, umps to try to fix the outcome of the last unfair AB, and your guys get to try and complete the inning on a level playing field?
SoxRewl
The simple solution is that the reliever gets checked during the commercial break that happens with every pitching change.
I see no reason to have mid-inning checks if they’re all checked between innings anyway.
GASoxFan
Same problem soxrewl. You don’t wait until after the inning or your team loses its AB, and possibly a rally. If a guy comes in with 1 out, bases loaded, cheats, and escapes with no runs allowed they don’t put the runners back on the bases and replay the inning. Ones it’s done, it’s done at that point.
someoldguy
so its ok for the manager to cheat the rules by freezing the other teams pitcher by using a rule falsely… doesn’t make sense to me..
nats3256
To me it seems the solution would be to check guys when they come from the dugout when an inning starts or when coming from the bullpen. This would stop any need to have to check someone in the middle of an inning.
Gwynning
The theory is they could then apply substances during the inning. Maybe the 3rd baseman has it hidden. Maybe it’s in his pocket. Maybe it’s on his arm. Etc. Etc. Post-inning checks would seem to be “more thorough”
Dustyslambchops23
I mean if someone figures all that out maybe they deserve to get away with it
bkbk
This dude HATES baseball
eddiemathews
I think that MLB has told networks and Bally to not show the just regular inspections anymore.
BobGibsonFan
Sure, inspecting the pitchers multiple times a game isn’t going to drag the game on… but throwing 4 pitches for a intentional pass… oh my god, when will this game end?
Manfred is a clown.
Cambio
Agreed 100%
Deleted_User
LOL
dpsmith22
So true.
Hit4me
Fire this clown
its_happening
Players need to fire Tony Clark. Then consult with former players on what they went through in 1994, what worked, what didn’t, and which drastic rule changes committed by Manfred has worked and what hasn’t. One final call to Donald Fehr for his thoughts and recommendations.
Players need to strike and dig in. Manfred and the entire staff need to be cleaned out. Top to bottom. They are influenced, proven by the decision to move the all-star game (not agreeing or disagreeing, questioning the methods). Players play when Manfred and his staff step down. Fans will be upset and might leave permanently. At least the players can say they did on their terms rather than allow the current commissioner to destroy the game inside and out.
cloutthedriver
Do you want some cheese with that wine ?
its_happening
Only with red.
WillieMaysHayes24
How about with some fava beans and a nice chianti ?
Flyby
Do you remember what happened the last time the players held a strike. Yup almost killed the sport and it needed the “steroid” era and hr race to get people back.
Also the sport has to slowly change to capture the instant gratification the younger people are looking for. This is why other sports are rating higher than baseball. Even now i couldnt tell you i watched a full game but rather just see the end result the next day or watch the game in 5 mins.
TomahawkChop
NFL games are longer than mlb games. It has little to do with instant gratification and much to do with promoting the game and it’s players. MLB is notoriously terrible at marketing and it’s only gotten worse under Manfred. Even soccer is marketed better in America than baseball. It’s truly pathetic to be honest.
GASoxFan
NFL fans get to go see their team for 8 regular season games at home. They watch once per week on TV for 16 weeks. The there might be playoffs, single game each round.
MlB fans have 81 +/- home games (intl exhibitions andncancellations/tiebreaker). They can watch on TV for 162 +/- games. Then, if there’s playoffs, aside from the WC you get best of 5, best of 7, and best of 7.
It takes a lot more dedication to watch and follow a season, and, it’s less likely you keep having as much time for a long game that many times through the season.
its_happening
GA – and the football games are played Sunday afternoons in the fall and winter, mostly.
its_happening
Flyby I remember 1994. Guess what? It’s either Manfred and his crew destroying the game slowly, or the players temporarily hurt the game to fix the problem long term. I’ll take the latter. Strike and hold the line.
mlb1225
If striking 100% meant that Manfred would step down, then possibly. But I doubt players are about to almost kill the sport to possibly get Manfred out of his position.
its_happening
I doubt it too. If you have a better solution I’m all eyes and ears to hear it. That’s why I laid out the step by step process they should take.
its_happening
I doubt it too. If you have a better solution I’m all eyes and ears to hear it. That’s why I laid out the step by step process they should take.
hd-electraglide
So Romo does his best Steve Lyons impression last night. I suspect there will be more antics such as this.
cloutthedriver
All these boomers saying how he’s making the game more boring but yet mlb.tv is having the highest viewership it has ever had , last time I checked sports do things more towards the younger generation they don’t give a damn what a 55 y/o has to say lmao
its_happening
Sounds like you’re whining. Certainly not bright judging by your writing style.
hd-electraglide
They dang well better pay attention to what the “older” fans think. Who do you think the majority of season ticket holders are? Certainly not the gen Z or millennials.
cloutthedriver
Sounds like I hurt your feeling sorry grandpa go watch cricket or something
Cambio
Says the guy who probably swings and misses in softball. #BeatItNerd
WillieMaysHayes24
As the kids like to say, ratio.
Cambio
@WillieMays24 – did I win the internet? Can I twerk and live in my mom’s basement for free?
cloutthedriver
Yea let’s care of what people that will be in community centers in 10 years think instead of kids growing up watching the game ‘ who you think is gonna be buying those season tickets for years to come definitely not you once you in a olds people home lol
Hit4me
Who do you think teaches the game to kids? Because of my love for the sport my son loves it too. I used to watch games with my grandparents as it was on their television ever in season holiday or casual visit. Love of baseball is often taught. Turning away those who have the game most of their lives is not a good plan. And, we would all be lucky to be old and still watching the game. Someday you (if your bitter attitude doesn’t cause your body and mind too much stress)) will grow old and someone will discount your opinion. Don’t be a hypocrite…shut up and take it.
TomahawkChop
Clout, you are by far the most worthless commenter on the threads. And I’m much younger than these boomers you claim share these sentiments.
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
I’m with TChop here. Man I’m 39 years old Ive lived through several decades of baseball. The best times and memories I have of the game were with my old man until he passed away from cancer in 2000 and hell here I am with a love for a game that my father gave to me as I now share it with my sons. It’s those boomers you so clearly despise that passed this on to us. You sure as hell didn’t just wake up one day and say “you know what I’m gonna check out this new baseball thing!” This game is for everyone not just you, the dude who is probably not even old enough to drink a beer. Opinions are like A-holes, everybody’s got one. But maaannnnn yours just has to be the biggest right? Do yourself a favor and maybe think about things before you say them. Manners and respect go a long way in this world. Perhaps you’ll listen to me or perhaps you’ll tell me to go F myself. But I sure won’t lose sleep over it if you do. Cause I’m not doing that sleeping in my parents basement. I’ll be here all week, be sure to tip your waitress. Enjoy your evening clout.
rct
@clout: ‘yet mlb.tv is having the highest viewership it has ever had’
Variety of factors at play here:
-Many teams have had COVID restrictions on attending the game: season ticket holders and every day fans are forced to watch at home
-Cord cutters: people moving away from cable/satellite packages and paying for a la carte subscription streaming
-the increasing presence of the internet in general; it’s super easy to watch a game any time and anywhere on your phone
-more people have been at home due to lockdowns in their state/city; if you have to stay at home, you’re probably watching something; baseball is there every day while movies/tv series are lagging due to the ~16 month layoff due to COVID
etc. I sincerely doubt that Manfred’s moves are the driver here.
its_happening
MLB tv is not the barometer to use as its existence is measured post-1994. Clout is clueless.
jim stem
MLB.tv has its highest numbers ever because people are sick of commercials. I start watching a game about 15 minutes after it starts just so I can fast forward through them.
sufferforsnakes
Keep killing the game, Robin.
Rangers29
How about this: Managers are allowed to ask for one foreign substance check per game. There will still be the random checks, but this allows managers to have one voluntary check per game.
timyanks
if i’m an umpire and you throw your glove, hat, or belt on the ground, you’ll get ejected
Hit4me
If my aunt was a man she’d be my uncle
Dorothy_Mantooth
What would Theo do?
tigers2022
The issue is the MLB batting average… hmm, maybe don’t change the strike zone to induce hitters to have an uppercut swing for all or nothing results. What do you think would happen? We all know the ball changed to produce more home runs and pitchers don’t like that. Substance and strategy. Maybe just lower the mound to 2 inches you pathetic dweeb. Or let the players use steroids for all I care. It’d be fun to watch. Roger throwing bat at Piazza. Fun
Cambio
As of last week, the MLB batting average was .237.
You have all of these “high performance” coaches teaching kids to hit the ball in the air. Its all about launch angle. Well guess what – you can’t hit a homerun if you can’t hit the ball!
DarkSide830
how dare they put punishments behind the rules already in the rulebook!
Chippy D
If the Clash were around in 2021 they’d probably write a song called “I’m So Bored with the MLB”.
DockEllisDee
I get it but I doubt others will. We need an adult swim section of MLBTR so we can do some backstroke laps and shower together and dress like it’s perfectly natural, which it is. These kids are so sensitive.
CKinSTL
So any discipline here for Girardi? I get that things were running hot.. but you got a manager aggressively moving towards an opposing player, barking at him, with a repeated “come at me, bro” gesture…
Maybe I am not remembering the Cintron/Laureano altercation correctly but isn’t that pretty much what Cintron did to warrant a 20 game suspension? The only major difference seems to be how the player responded.
GASoxFan
Except that was an escalation of an exchange with WAS coaches in the dugout, with one mi.icking being restrained from meeting girardi. It had nothing directed at scherzer….
vincent k. mcmahon
@CKin If would’ve watched Jomboy’s breakdown you would’ve seen Joe clearly yelling at his old pal Kevin Long and not Max.
CKinSTL
That wasn’t clear from the video that I saw. That makes a lot more sense though.. I would figure that Girardi would have more common sense than to have that reaction to an opposing player. I’ll need to track down that breakdown.
tommy-9
Its odd to see people defending the players here. Foreign substances has always been illegal, so why are so many pitchers that are flat out admitting they cheat getting mad because the league is cracking down on it?
pbfog
I see, MLB understood that fans missed fights, the fights that ended with instant replays. Fights are back now.
wreckage
Easy solution. Check all pitchers before and after each inning and all RP upon entering the game.
Pitchers getting upset for rules finally being enforced is beyond pathetic.
GriffeyJrFan
Leaders admit when something doesn’t go as expected. Everything he does according to him has worked. The ball fiascos the last couple of years has showed me he isn’t a leader. This substances issue has been handled very poorly. I expect that there will be labor issues at the end of this contract. You don’t address things in the middle of the season. Manfred is bad for baseball, period.
GASoxFan
Mlb has been trying to address this since 2020 ST, 2021 ST, and through the 2021 season. All in plain view with official letter to clubs, players, the MLBPA, etc. No cloak and daggers surprises.
Just a large quantity of players that kept ignoring mlb and everything they were being told, and, for some reason I guess didn’t think mlb was serious or would follow though – likely figuring mlb lacked the balls to back up its actions with a cba coming.
Players were wrong.
jints1
Manfred is a lawyer and this is his perspective. He hides behind memos he sends rather than engaging the issues personally. Tonight I went to the Orioles game and watched the umps check on the hats and also seemingly the belts the pitchers were wearing. It seemed a bit intrusive. Jannis, the Orioles knuckleballer making his big league debut, was checked after every inning. Why did this guy making his debut have to undergo such scrutiny?
GASoxFan
Judgment of the umpire.
Rule called for MIN of 2 checks, plus additional at umpire discretion or if an opposing manager raises an issue with evidence deemed objectively reasonable that it could indicate illegal substances being used.
Now beyond that rule, it’s possible the kid was one of the guys who had equipment collected that indicated positive or possible results during testing. I’d expect umpires may do heavier checks on those players.
It’ll be interesting if at some point the results of that testing is leaked since unlike steroid testing there aren’t hippa considerations.
LaBalaDePlata
And why would a knuckleballer care about spin rate? Shouldn’t he be trying to get 0 rpm?
GASoxFan
Knuckleball grip is harder to hold, give it a try sometime. It’s not about push off the fingertips, true, but about keeping hold to the ball itself.
LaBalaDePlata
Oh I know, I’ve played baseball for 30+ years and have tried it a few times. Never could throw one worth a damn, especially not consistently. It is definitely a difficult skill to master.
Cubs Dynasty
Yep, he should be throwing floaters
PsychoTim
Joe Niekro says hello.
Yep it is
Who cares what Manfred says. He is a CLOWN and has ruined the game above any beyond what Bud Selina did. Baseball still just doesn’t get it.
MWeller77
Bud Selina accomplished NOTHING as commissioner, I’ll grant you that
DODGER JR
This clown is by far the worst Commish in the history of the four major sports. He is so incompetent that it is a joke.
kreckert
This man is such an idiot. Doing this in the middle of a season is stupid. Doing it without a clear endgame in mind is stupider. Doing it going into an off season that’s likely going to be catastrophic is the stupidest thing I can imagine.
There are exactly 2 things this man should have on his mind:
1) getting to next season clean with no strike or lockout.
2) getting the casual fans that have been disappearing for the last five to ten years interested in the sport again.
Frisking pitchers between innings isn’t a way to do either of those things.
kreckert
Oh and:
Selig > Manfred.
By a thousand country miles. At the very least he gave a damn about the sport.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
I wish the Astros Garbage Can would weigh in on this article.
GASoxFan
It would say mlb is doing a bang up job here
Jojobean
Manfred has ruined baseball for me. Worst commissioner ever for the MLB. Get rid of the shift then maybe I’ll come back. This new sticky substance was the final straw.
Crypto Nerd
It’s nothing new.
They’ve been talking about bullfrog and rosin for decades.
pc01
I like the commenting feature on this site. Until one like this rolls around. RUINED BASEBALL. NEVER WATCH AGAIN. MANFRED SO BAD. You’re all ridiculous, just stop, everything will be OK, you giant, pathetic babies.
FckMUT
shut the hell up, you giant, pathetic baby. go suck on manfred more.
joeyrocafella
Girardi is a scumbag and a bully. Having said that, Manfred is not doing anything to help the situation
eephus11
Let them have foreign substances. The strike zone should get a little smaller. Make the hitters hit it where it’s pitched and not try to launch everything. Shifts will become less prevalent once the hitters become less pull happy and the game will have more action on the ground level. This all seems logical to me. A pitcher can only do so much to cheat out there so just let them have grip enhancers.
eephus11
Girardi is a joke. A pitcher starts the game dominating your hitters and checks out clean…he gets an inspection and is clean. Domination continues…he is checked again and is clean once again. Domination continues beyond that point…you request another check and it can only be seen as a ploy to mess with his psyche, he should have been tipping his cap to him for pitching a great game!! This is a bush league manager tactic.
tonyinsingapore
If the players don’t like the rules being enforced then just walk away from the game. If you like the pay day then go along with the checks. It’s a commonality throughout many facets of life.
kiddhoff
Well said. It sucks, but sometimes you have to stand for something. They all fell in line with BLM and moving the All Star game for idiotic political reasons. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same in their situation. But it sums when money rules everything.
creacher
Well you are completely uneducated in thinking that about the all Star game. Learn about the world before you speak like an obnoxious moron.
kiddhoff
I know more about what’s going on than your 12 year old mind can comprehend.
TomahawkChop
Uneducated is thinking that raping that city and it’s businesses of millions of dollars is a good thing
kiddhoff
Poll: Most Incompetent
A) Rob Manfred
B) China Joe Biden
C) Braves fans
Cambio
I don’t see the option to vote for the person who coined the term “birthing people.” Can we add that person?
diehardfantd
The timing of this new policy is stupid.. Why start this in mid season… Rob Manfred is a joke of a commissioner…
wreckage
It was always a rule. When did the P’s decide to start defying it? Mid-season? Late season? Beginning of a season? No one knows. But what is known is that the cheating must end. And not during the stretch run, or beginning of next year, or at the all star break. But now. Why delay the enforcement of a rule that has been in place since before any of these players began playing. Regardless of when the rules are enforced, they are there. Don’t like having to suddenly follow them, maybe you should have always followed them.
donotinteruptMYkungfu
Your facts are not 100% straight…yes rule but things were allowed hence the rosin bag and the fact NOBODY has gotten in trouble via rule in about twenty years (a rule not enforced, isn’t a rule). So there is a rule but the 10 day suspensions is a NEW ADDITION to the rule, so it was changed. As well as the Umps required inspections…..please try to educate yourself before popping off
diehardfantd
then why hasnt it been enforced since day one.. taking the opposite stance on every comment to make yourself look smart is stupid ..just an fyi
donotinteruptMYkungfu
Only those inside MLB know exactly why….however there is a CBA needing to be negotiating next year. What better way to negotiate but to have the folks against you also fighting amoung themselves and while you’re at it thrown in some public resentment too. Helps soften the blows.
It’s about MONEY and POSITION at the negotiating table.
creacher
Haven’t like Manfred since the moment he stepped into the role
BaseballGuy1
If in-fact true, regarding multiple opportunities for MLBPA to respond to foreign substance policy well before the implementation date and that details, strategy were provided by MLB to MLBPA, the MLBPA should have participated with full-fledged instead to strictly define how the protocol would be administered and when it would be begin. Never in the middle of a season, never without a strict protocol of which there is obviously no rules to follow, leaving it up to the umpires, without specific step-by-step procedures. Even without MLBPA participating, MLB was deficit in not laying out the explicit protocol for everything that happens on the field with all possibilities covered. Loved Scherzer, one of two MLBPA player representatives, giving it back to Giraldi. Expect more and more from everyone as it will become a circus, not at all what MLB needed.
creacher
They’re confiscating gloves that are not even the same color as the ball ahaha
VegasSDfan
All these “fans” are crying here. I would bet that this drama has increased viewership. Its also brought a lot of attention to baseball. People like drama, so this is great for baseball, even if you hate it, you secretly love it.
its_happening
Only in the short term.
donotinteruptMYkungfu
No it’s not great baseball…its just baseball with lawyers playing games before a collective bargaining agreement starts up….its called trying your case in public opinion instead of in a court or under oath. Being from SD I’d expect you NOT know good baseball.
VegasSDfan
Good Baseball. Watch the Padres game tonight.
bot
Intentionally Attracting negative attention is the mindset of a 15 year old girl. So sounds about right as that’s the level of maturity our society has devolved into
bot
Classic example of the interviewee setting stage and giving interviewer questions to ask w scripted response.
CravenMoorehead
Manfred threatening to suspend pitchers using “foreign substances” while letting Astros players get off scot-free for their elaborate sign stealing scandal is peak incompetence.
carlos15
The Manfred era will always be a black mark on the history of the game. He is a buffoon.
VegasSDfan
People “hated” Selig also. People just like to complain, just like you.
scarfish
It really makes me sad that I’ve lost interest in the game to this level. Let them play.
VegasSDfan
But you love drama tv and politics? Am I right
DocBB
Pitchers who are complaining=those that are cheating. Simple as that…if you are not cheating then you should be 100% for enforcement as it is finally evening out the playing field for you.
IronWarPigs
Let them put what they want on the ball, bring back steroids. Let everyone play like Greek gods again. It was super fun!
LGM!
While they’re at, ban body armor for hitters so they can’t hang over the plate.
VegasSDfan
Because protecting a previous injury bothers you?
Bob333
Manfred is a joke he must have worked for the Phillies Organization.Everything they do is flawed and every decision he makes is flawed.Manfred,Phillies and Joe Biden would be great together.LOSERS
Vizionaire
this is to reduce pitchers’ salaries.
VegasSDfan
Any nobody agrees with you.
Dutch Vander Linde
Manfred hates MLB. His main purpose is to ruin baseball.
msqboxer
Like our current government situation…the few that they know are guilty are not held accountable…instead we will change the whole process so that we don’t alienate the few.
Bob333
Manfred keeps being stupid the Democratic Party will run him in 2024 to replace Biden
who will be in a assisted living by then.
joew
asking to check so many times more so since they check after innings and such is pretty nutty.
Personally i’d be calling for a check every time someone fixes a wedgie.. … just for the fun.and to call attention to the fact that over use of the requests.
can’t really take that option away from teams and hard to set rules for it because if you say they can only request once or every so many innings it opens up pitchers to try to sneak it by.
Given the fact they could have always done these requests and only now are asking… … why didn’t they ask before extra attention was brought to this?
Cubs Dynasty
Watch….If anyone thinks that any top pitchers in MLB are going to get accused of juice, forget it. Ain’t gonna happen unless perhaps the guy is on Epstein’s flight log. More likely MLB will nail a couple of low dog relievers from a small payroll team.
VegasSDfan
Funny how the pessimistic fans want pitchers to use a foreign substance. I dont see any position players complaining.
Most pitchers have not said a word, as they don’t use a foreign substance on the ball.