On Tuesday, April 19th, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the San Diego Padres in a highly anticipated matchup. However, the game took a surprising turn in the middle of the game when Dodgers pitcher Max Scherzer was ejected following umpire inspections for sticky hands.
The issue of pitchers using foreign substances to enhance their grip on the ball has been a hot topic in the world of baseball for quite some time. In an effort to curb this behavior, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced in June 2021 that it would begin enforcing rules against the use of foreign substances on the ball. The crackdown began in earnest on June 21st, 2021, and has resulted in numerous suspensions and fines for players found to be using illegal substances.
During Tuesday’s game, Scherzer was inspected multiple times by umpires who were checking for foreign substances. While Scherzer was able to pass the first two inspections, the third inspection proved to be his downfall. Umpires found a sticky substance on Scherzer’s hands, which led to his immediate ejection from the game.
Following the ejection, Scherzer was visibly frustrated and could be seen exchanging words with the umpires as he left the field. The Dodgers also expressed their frustration with the decision, with manager Dave Roberts calling it “ridiculous” and “embarrassing for our game.”
Despite the controversy surrounding Scherzer’s ejection, the MLB has stated that it will continue to enforce its rules against the use of foreign substances. The league hopes that by cracking down on this behavior, it will be able to maintain a level playing field and ensure fair competition for all players.
The incident has also sparked renewed debate over the use of foreign substances in baseball. Some argue that pitchers should be allowed to use substances like rosin and sunscreen to improve their grip, while others believe that any use of foreign substances should be banned outright.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is clear that the use of foreign substances will continue to be a point of contention in the world of baseball. As for Max Scherzer, he will have to wait and see if any further punishment will be handed down by the league in the wake of his ejection.
