Diamondbacks lefty Caleb Smith was ejected after the eighth inning of last night’s game against the Phillies after the umpiring crew believed to have detected a foreign substance on his glove. His glove will now be sent to the league headquarters for further examination, which could result in a 10-game suspension. Smith, who pitched 2 2/3 innings and had already cleared one check at the end of the sixth inning, vehemently argued his case as the umpiring crew spoke with manager Torey Lovullo (video link).
The 28-year-old Smith becomes just the second player ejected under the league’s new foreign-substance crackdown. If he’s suspended, as was the case with Mariners lefty Hector Santiago, the Diamondbacks would not be able to replace him on the roster over the course of his suspension.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Smith was understandably quite upset, and manager Torey Lovullo defended his player (Twitter links, with video, via Cameron Cox of 12 News in Arizona). Smith was adamant that if he’d cheated, he “would own up to it” and expressed anger that the ejection itself “drags my name through the mud” even though he does not ultimately believe he’ll be suspended.
“I’m not stupid,” Smith said. “I know the main two things they check are your glove and your hat. Even if I was using something, which I wasn’t, I wouldn’t put it in my glove or my hat. I mean, that’s just ignorant.”
Lovullo offered immediate support for his left-hander. “I’m always going to side with the player when he looks me square in the eyes and tells me that [he’s not cheating],” the manager said. “…I believe my player. I stand by my player. He told me there was nothing malicious happening. I asked to see his hand, and his hand was bone dry. … You can see Caleb goes to the ground a lot to get dirt on his hands. He has a pile of dirt on the side of his pantleg as a result of wiping down the dirt.”
Asked whether he was allowed to see and/or touch the glove, Lovullo acknowledged that it was “a little bit sticky” inside the heel of the glove but said there was no “huge buildup” and maintained his belief that it was a combination of sweat, rosin and dirt.
It’s now up to the league’s jurisdiction to determine whether there was or was not a foreign substance on Smith’s glove. Notably, however, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported after Santiago’s prior suspension that the league did not even further examine Santiago’s glove — instead issuing a suspension based solely on the umpires’ reported detection of a foreign substance (Twitter link). The crew chief in last night’s game, Tom Hallion, was also the crew chief at the time of Santiago’s ejection (and subsequent suspension). Via The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan, umpire Phil Cuzzi inspected Smith’s glove both at the end of the sixth inning, when he was cleared, and at the end of the eighth inning, when he was ejected.
Maybe this clown umpiring crew needs to be suspended
This rule ruining baseball.
Lance Lynn ejection last evening more BS.
Amen. The utilization of robot umps needs to happen. Send these egotistical primadonnas to the breadline where they belong. Enough is enough.
@Palehosed, you realize that “robot umps” aren’t going to take real umpires off the field, right?
Exactly, @ChiSox. The problem is the way the umps have been directed to enforce the rule. This isn’t the umpire’s fault. This is like blaming the police officer or the judge for enforcing the law. I’d they’ve been directed to eject someone “if a sticky substance is found,” then they have to do it. They can’t wait on test results to see if the umpires are right or not.
You’ve got to be bleeping me ChiSox…he should get suspended for throwing that belt at an umpire.. I don’t care how much you hate the rule, you can’t go throwing stuff at an umpire – that’s just unacceptable and childish on Lynn’s part.
You can’t throw your equipment. That gets you tossed by rule.
Howe about this concept…wait for it…
How about pitchers pitching without a little help? Can the hitters use corked bats or bats with any other unauthorized enhancements? No. And anytime any of them are caught, they are disciplined.
Flip side of the argument of course being, are hitter allowed to use pine tar to get a better grip of the bat? Are pitchers allowed to use pine tar to get a better grip of the ball? Why do we allow batters more liberties with competitive advantages than we allow pitchers? Is some substance fair? I’d argue it is so long as it’s from an acceptable list negotiated by owners and the union. Obviously it’s against the rules right now so it’s reasonable to police but I think the narrative being spun is unfair and we will look back upon it and be surprised that so many were vehemently against giving the pitchers anything.
The pitchers weren’t disciplined for decades when they were just using a little something something to get a better grip. Crackdown started when they were using substances to improve performance and make the ball spin more and add more movement.
That “flip side” would only be valid if that’s all they were using the sticky stuff for – to get a better grip. However, that better grip is performance-enhancing because it increases the spin rate. So it’s not the same argument.
Give ’em an inch, they take a mile. As a result, it ruined it for everyone – what started as a grip enhancer became a performance enhancer. That’s one reason why I never believe these guys when they say they didn’t intend to take a PED. They’re so damn competitive that most players will do almost anything to gain an advantage.
But…umpires are never wrong…
Can’t wait to see who the September martyr will be for this dog and pony show.
Or til it happens in the playoffs.
Especially then
Notice how it’s never a huge market team.
Halos – two suspensions isn’t nearly enough of a trend to declare “it’s never a huge market team.” Also, metro Phoenix has the 10th-largest population in the country. I’m not sure what qualifies as “huge.”
Phoenix is the 5th biggest city (2020 census)…sounds like someone is playing the victim card.
Really? After 2 examples? Also, Phoenix is a huge market. Seattle is also 13th in the US. I wouldn’t say that’s small. This post coming from you does not surprise me one bit though.
For people who refuse to read the article… They never tested Hector Santiago’s glove. They never proved anything. They didn’t announce what substance he used or provide any details for him to refute. The umps ejected him and he was sentenced to a suspension. There is no investigation. There is no lab. There is no due process. It is a witch hunt. Read Kafka. Read the article. Read something.
Know your facts guys!!! Preach Steve
I usually side with you Steve, but in this case I call BS. Four umpires checked his glove and came to the same conclusion. And these guys aren’t stupid – he cheated, plain and simple. And if you’re going to cheat when you know they’re checking, then you’re an idiot who deserves whatever consequences they throw at you.
I think Steve’s point is there was no follow-up announced to confirm if an illegal substance was found on his glove. Maybe something will be announced later, but this is all very much taking place behind the scenes.
Regardless how you feel about the rule and how it’s implemented, according to the first paragraph of the article, it seems he was checked after the sixth inning and again after the eighth. If they did nothing the first check it sure seems possible that something was different with the glove the second time around.
Then the league must ascertain and announce what illegal substance was found.
Umpires shouldn’t be the cop, judge and executioner.
Tell it how it is Steve! It’s ridiculous that they never tested Santiago’s glove and now the same crew is going to test this glove. It’s just a complete $h!+ show.
Would it not make more sense to check before an inning starts? If he was cheating, the Phillies were impacted and Arizona gets benefit of cheating.
It isn’t against the rules until you use it in the game though. I think if a pitcher starts going to their hat or glove during the games the umpires would check to see what they are doing. Plus that could get tricky with checking pitchers before they pitch, no one wants to be distracted or talk to an umpire 30 seconds before throwing live pitches. You’d be messing with all of the pitchers to catch the one person every month.
Right. I agree, but at the same time, if you’re going to punish them after they’ve been using it for 2+ innings, what’s the point? The damage was done. Look the Phillies aren’t good, but they lost by 2 swings. The sticky stuff could have easily cost them the game. They get no satisfaction out of the opposing player being suspended after the fact. I’m not saying the Phillies would have definitely won, but we’ll never know.
Aren’t they suppose to check after every inning?
Not all the time, but that’s generally how it goes.
Exactly. Is there a stated criteria for when to search? I have watched plenty of games where some pitchers aren’t checked. For example, last week Angels/Bluejays, Alek Manoah was dominating and didn’t get checked. Giovanni Gallegos for the cardinals gets checked every single appearance. Seems a bit arbitrary to me.
The punishment ALWAYS comes after the crime, not before.
Sticky ball and sticky bats, to me the same advantage. Either allow both or get rid of both.
Too late. Phillies offense was shutdown.
For 3 games
More than 3 actually.
For about 8 years…
Very interesting that it’s the same crew and that the glove wasn’t further checked in the last case. That crew is going to have a reputation.
Accountability by umpiring crew personnel? What a novel concept. Put the umpire and entire crew at risk when they eject a player for foreign substance suspicion. Glove or other clothing must be scientifically examined with evidence chain of custody maintained. If not upheld by outside testing facility with definitive substance findings confirming ejection, umpire and umpiring crew is formally written-up and financially fined.
That would just incentivize umps to do nothing and allow cheating to continue. If there is an error in judgment-crew needs to be informed why what they thought was a violation hadn’t been when tested by a neutral party.
Two strikes (unwarranted ejections) and the umpire is suspended without pay. The Items in question should be sealed and initialed my the teams manager and Umpire. Chain of command must be maintained and if not, the allegation is dropped and a Manfred’s office is fined $100K, with that money going the charity of the accused choice..
The suspected illegal substance or item must be inspected by an independent testing company that has no connection with MLB, the Player’s Union, the Umpire’s Union, the Umpire and the accused player. .
How are the umpires to know what any “substance” is if they find something? They are instructed what to do and they do it. I doubt any umpire wants to be in the middle of this.
If the players and coaching staffs refuse to police themselves over this issue then this is what they get… babysitters.
You say that and there hasnt been and group to uphold the tyranny of the umps. Cant wait for robots umps. So tired of pitches being thrown directly down the middle only to be called a ball. You say they dont want to be in it. They LOVE to be in the drama because they need it. They know the writing is on the wall. Atleast Selig used to kinda hold them in check.
Of course the main problem is that MLB cannot be held accountable for any of the people or towns that it destroys. This is why it doesn’t mind about the umps acting out. They have a union they have a voice even though they should maintain silence being they are but bystanders in a competition. Do you see a lifting judge arguing with a lifter? No. You see a tennis judge arguing but at the end of the day the camera has final say.
Here the Umps have the final say and can EJECT ANY SINGLE PERSON THEY SEE FIT FOR WHATEVER REASON! They don’t even have to give you a reason. But again at the end of the day when you have a challenge on the field it goes to NEW YORK CITY,not biased at all. Then they review, we think, seeing how they give no information on what they watched and how they came about their decision. So again, a faceless person in NYC is deciding a game in Florida. Seems hella fishy.
Why not put MLB headquarters in a neutral state that doesn’t have a team? Why did the Atlanta Braves lose 13 players from their organization of stuff below minor league ball yet the Astros players got not a single fine for one of the most blatant cheats in modern baseball history. Atleast they took away the title from the Black Sox. Lifetime bans there too. Here?
This sport here has become like everything else that is driven by politics. Trash. Cant wait to see what happens and if Congress or the Senate breaks them up for running a Monopoly. To big for their britches.
From General Manager to Ball Boy can be ejected at any moment. It takes a whole crew to remove a Ump but you can/cant remove a crew chief unless injured or has labor shortages somehow struck the umps so there isnt the extra in the crowd? I’m vague on what it takes to remove an ump for intent from a game. Because bad strikes to the point its questionable youd figure would trigger conversations but no. They take away no hitters but dont award them later. Note they gave it to Bumgarner would DIDNT throw 9 innings of complete ball but they didnt award it to the guy who the ump screwed over. Armando Galarraga’s perfect game. Jim Joyce yeah that’s you. Still haven’t awarded it? Why not, that silly accountability thing. They would have to admit he screwed up. They cant and they wont. Sad
They also said there would not be a hike in prices in game tickets. 2019 tickets in denver were under $100. Closer to like $79. This season even the crappy seats are $215. What a joke from a company that has become trash.
Just a few of a long list of issues that it has on a major level. But alas it has become such a huge conglomerate they it doesn’t fear governments or trials much like many other companies operating.
150 years of history to get destroyed by one person because he feels it needs to be updated out of existence. Another company to be leveled by someone who is “only trying to help and better it for others.” Their belief seems to be the game is broken, where? Stupid social justice.
MLB rule changes will ruin the game. If a game takes 5 hours, it takes 5 hours, like it always had for about 150 years. This runner on 2nd leading off the 10th inning is a joke. Don’t get me started on 7 inning double headers.
The Phillies are the one team that wouldn’t warrant a pitcher using a foreign substance. This season is quickly evaporating.
@Pax this is the Phillies. They’ll look like the worst team for a few weeks, then they’ll look unbeatable for a week. Then they’ll stink again. Most frustrating team to watch. At the end of the day, they’ll finish around .500.
and still above the Mets lol
Maybe. Maybe not. Either way that’s no badge of honor. Phillies and Mets have looked absolutely disgraceful at times this year. Like they don’t even want to be on the field. It’s okay to be bad. Lots of teams look bad. These teams have been down-right boring at times. No heart. No sense of urgency. Immediate lineouts. Just horrific. Both teams can explode at times, but man oh man…frustrating beyond belief.
My casual baseball friends kid me about what a joke baseball has become.
More Manfred stupidity
Manfred is hands down the worst commisionernos sports. He makes Goodell look good. Time to quit and pony up the money for some braces, loser! I wonder how he feels knowing the fact that absolutely nobody in MLB likes him…
Even Hockey’s Bettman is better than Manfred. I think Manfred’s equal might be Vince McMahon!
“Smith was adamant that if he’d cheated, he “would own up to it…””
And when the lab finds that something sticky was added to his glove, Smith will blame someone else for putting it there without his knowledge, just like the PED users. If you get caught, own it. If you have to cheat to succeed, then find something else to do.
Well, that gets rid of a lot of “successful” yankee players over the years who made an awful lot of money being rewarded for cheating.
What do you want the person who didn’t do anything wrong to do, just admit to it anyway?
That tactic might work well in movies, when the pretty object of your affection is watching. In real life it’s incredible stupid to admit wrong doing if you did none. The system isn’t designed to go back and exonerate those that don’t defend themselves in the first place, simply to avoid annoying cynical internet fans
Chipssssssss – I agree that you don’t admit to something you didn’t do, of course. But I have never seen a situation in baseball where it was found out the accusation was not true, have you? It’s very simple, either a foreign substance was present or it wasn’t and the lab will determine that. If a player knows sticky stuff was there, if a player knows he took a PED, if the player knows he was stealing a sign using tech, just own it. It’s called personal responsibility.
The “these aren’t my pants” defense makes these guys look stupid for thinking we’re stupid.
But in the last instance, as stated in the story above, the lab NEVER checked on the observation of the umpires.
“Notably, however, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported after Santiago’s prior suspension that the league did not even further examine Santiago’s glove — instead issuing a suspension based solely on the umpires’ reported detection of a foreign substance…”
Exactly, Hubcap. Its a witch hunt and idiots like prov356 enable it.
“It’s very simple, either a foreign substance was present or it wasn’t and the lab will determine that.”
They never tested Hector Santiago’s glove. There is no lab. They didn’t release what substance it was either. So there could be no defense against it.
“these guys look stupid for thinking we’re stupid.”
You are the stupid one here, prov, and you should be thought of as stupid.
Steve – Thanks for bringing this down to high school level with the name calling.
In law enforcement, probable cause allows an officer to arrest someone and collect the evidence (in baseball, eject the player and collect the glove). Then a jury must find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt (in this case equal to lab findings). Then he is sentenced by the judge (in baseball, suspended).
Personal responsibility is still a thing. Own your crap.
There was no lab findings, dude! Did you read the freaking article? There is no due process here. Why are you this freaking stupid?
Steve – I’m sorry you’re so angry. I’m speaking more philosophically about personal responsibility. I thought that was clear.
In Santiago’s case, I don’t know the circumstances and why they followed the umpire only instead of further inspection. My guess is if Santiago didn’t appeal the suspension, then he accepted responsibility for what he knew was there. I’ve seen Santiago pitch a lot when he was on the Angels and he could use all the help he could get. Again, only speculation since I don’t know the circumstances. I’m guessing you don’t know them either.
He did appeal the suspension. They threw it out since the same “judge” who sentenced him was in charge of the appeal. You are so consistently wrong about this, I’m wondering if you are actually a real human being and not a bot designed to be dumb.
No one is arguing about the what “should” happen. We all agree with that. But none of that is going to happen, and that is why you should be upset about this. You care about personal responsibility so much, but seem to not want to hold the MLB to any.
@prov
Baseball doesn’t have a jury…they didn’t test Santiago’s glove and likely will not test Smith’s glove either. So therefore there is NO PROOF there was an illegal substance.
You’re right though personal responsibility is still a thing, so baseball should actually teat the gloves and reveal the lab results so people know the truth. As of right now I believe Smith is innocent because baseball didn’t prove Santiago had a foreign substance, so what makes you think they will prove Smith’s had a foreign substance?
You’re right 25. And if baseball isn’t seeking a definitive finding in these cases, that needs to change. But so often, even when players are found to be guilty of whatever the violation is, they always try to deflect blame or plead ignorance. I’m speaking mostly of the PED issue but is has applied to other issues too. I would rather they say nothing instead of lying.
Steve – Again, not sure why all the personal attacks. It sounds like we mostly agree then about how this should be carried out. But regardless, it is a violation of the new rule to have a foreign substance. If a guy is guilty he should own up to it. That’s what I’m saying. It sounds like, if what you’re saying is true, that MLB needs to tighten up their enforcement protocols. We probably agree their too. I don’t wring my hands over this issue like you apparently do because it is a game I choose to watch for entertainment purposes.
I don’t agree with many of Manfred’s changes, most specifically the man on 2nd in extra innings and 7 inning double headers. But I appreciate his attempts, flawed as they may be, to clean up the game in the area of cheating.
You are probably right. I jumped down your throat very aggressively, and should have given you some benefit of the doubt. It is just the willingness to trust a system that has already shown it does not care about any sort of due process that I couldn’t understand, but it seems you just didn’t know. The article says this at the end. I take back my insults, but I still encourage you to so some research into the situation before you defend something pretty indefensible.
Thanks Steve. I appreciate that.
MLB hasn’t tested any glove confiscated in 2021. They are simply standing behind the umps…which is this same exact crew every time.
Seal it with evidence seal, right on the field, with signatures or initials. If the seal is broken or tampered with, the player is exonerated with no suspension and no loss pay.
The rule should be the glove is confiscated and the pitcher stays on the mound. If the test finds it was an illegal substance then suspend the pitcher for something more severe., something like 20 games and the team can’t replace the roster spot.
I don’t get the guilty until proven innocent of an ejection. What if the lab finds it wasn’t anything that broke the rules?
@Goose You can’t just stop a game waiting for lab results. It’s your job to keep your glove clean. It’s not hard.
That’s not quite what he is saying. I get it, he’s not guilty until it’s proven, so let him stay in the game. But stricter penalties if he is guilty. Heck, just change the ball every pitch. Test the balls after the game is over. Or just randomly change balls if you don’t want to do it after every pitch.
Yea. That makes some sense.
So he was cleared in the 6th but suspended in the 8th…. just makes the umpires look worse.
Uh. The possibility exists that he got some of his goop on his glove between the 6th and the 8th.
I find it interesting that part of his defence is that he would have put the goop somewhere else. Doesn’t give me a lot of confidence that pitchers aren’t using foreign substances. Seems likely they are just putting it somewhere besides their glove, hat or belt.
Lance Lynn definitely hides stuff in his belt, as we found out last night.
He was tossed because the umpire had his feelings hurt. Not because of foreign substances.
He’s on video reaching into the inside of his belt, homer, sorry “your” guy cheated on tape.
Not my guy by any means, lol. Just pointing out it was a different type of suspension.
Not only are you ridiculous but also clearly bitter that the A’s lost.
He’s overweight and has to pull up his pants and belt to cover up his belly. I do it all the time and not while being a pitcher. Hell I’m 72.
You realize no sticky stuff was found in Lynn’s case right? Your take on the incident is very different from reality.
They can literally put it in their groin area and stick their hand in there between pitches. Not like that is going to ever be checked by umpires.
MLB should have thought of this before the season started, and promulgated clearly understood rules. This just comes off as arbitrary.
This, they did. They “promulgated” for a year and a half and told them enforcement was coming.
Where’s the Lance Lynn story then? He kept going under his belt all inning, then at the end of the inning during the check when the ump asked to check the belt specifically, he stormed into the dugout, took off the belt (undoubtedly wiping off whatever he had there) and threw it on the field, and got ejected for it.
That is one interpretation. I’ll offer it was probably his worst command all year (90+ pitches in 4ip), he was ticked at himself and didn’t think to stop for the check when the ump wasn’t there waiting……but yes he deserved to get tossed for throwing his belt instead of heading right back out.
He’s on video reaching into the inside of his belt, and then refused to check it, went into the dugout, wiped it off, and threw it onto the field. Its on tape. Only the most extreme homer (mental illness) White Sox fans would think otherwise. It’s on tape, it’s not up for interpretation.
Do you have the video of him wiping off his belt before throwing it on the field. If so, post it or go away.
Rule number one – only eject no name pitchers on teams that either are out of it or not the yankees.
Rule number two – eject name pitchers on contending clubs except for the yankees and then only if they throw something from the dugout.
Rule number three – under no circumstances whatsoever will a yankee pitcher ever be ejected. No matter what.
yankees spend more money rewarding cheaters than all other teams combined and yet win nothing. Nothing.
But they never get ejected.
Because if they did the dumpires would get hit with every object that wasn’t bolted down.
You okay there buddy? Need to go outside and touch some grass? It’s okay we’ll wait for you.
Ah, took a nap and feel much better.
It IS comedy how the Yankees cheat the MOST out of any team, and never get ejected or suspended. On top of that, their pitchers always get calls outside the box too.
Like, surrrre Cano only started cheating on the Mets, yeah right lol
Deathblow to the Diamondbacks playoff chances.
Can’t blame the umpires, they’re just doing what they are told to do but blame the one whom the umpires are told by. Yes, that man(fred).
“Tell it to the judge…”
How would the suspension be affected if Arizona chose to send Smith to AAA right now? Would they still be forced to sit someone out if he was suspended for 10 games? How would they decide who sits out in that case?
That’s a great question they might have to wait until he came back to the majors to suspend him.
I’m guessing he’ll appeal any absurd suspension and have the glove tested to prove those umpires wrong
why are you so sure he’s in the right?
Because he was checked two separate times and found to be okay. Why would one start cheating if they’ve already been checked twice?
I can’t believe that people are bashing umpires for upholding rules to prevent pitchers from cheating.
How about this novel idea….What about the pitchers pitching without any help? You all are squawking about the umpires upholding the rule, but would you feel the same if hitters were corking bats or using other bat enhancement cheats to improve their hitting?
So, a ‘smart’ pitcher would just hit some pine tar (hey, maybe he batted that inning?) and goes out to pitch. Nothing on his glove, hat or belt. Imagine that? It’s actually on his hand at the start of every inning. Most pitchers throw less than 20 pitches per inning. I’ve sold a product called sur-grip (bowling tacky substance for fingers) for 30 years. Trust me, a dab or two of that stuff is like Gorilla Glue and it’s clear. A little between your fingers on either hand and you’ll have plenty to get you through an inning.
this guy is a cheater and DUMB and got caught .If your going to do it the catcher should be the one doing it.Nobody ever said baseball players were very smart.
If you have to cheat to beat the Phillies that is pathetic
Bob333 The Phillies greatest rival is themselves. Arizona did not have to do anything this series. Phillies got them covered.
Umpires need to be ticketed by cops who have their own version of the speed limit. Maybe they’d get the message.
Always seems to be a lefty.
The game needs a consistent strikezone—so sick of the nonsense from umpires and their “situational” ball/strike calls.
Phil Cuzzi is one of the all-time biggest d-bag umps in baseball. Not quite Joe West’s level, but a giant doucher nonetheless.
If I were to use a foreign substance, I’d put it on my balls. No one would check there.
“Nevermind me out here on the mound, I’m just adjusting my guys”
I saw chipper Jones on the deal Earnhardt Junior podcast, and he said the exact same thing except for he said that he would put it on his taint
sportscasting.com/dale-earnhardt-jr-chipper-jones-…