Friday P.M. Hot Clicks: Jessica White; When Pitchers Doctor Baseballs
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Pitchers Doctoring Baseballs
Pitchers Doctoring Baseballs
Brian Matusz — May 23, 2015
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz was ejected from a 1-0 13-inning loss to the Miami Marlins for having a foreign substance on his arm. Matusz was tossed in the bottom of the 12th inning after Marlins manager Dan Jennings alerted the umpires to the substance. He had just recorded the second out of the inning.
Will Smith — May 21, 2015
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Will Smith was ejected from a 10–1 loss to the Atlanta Braves after umpires found a foreign substance on his arm. Smith entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with Atlanta leading 2–1. After four pitches, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez asked umpires to check on the left-handed pitcher. Crew chief Jim Joyce ejected Smith after the umpires found rosin and sunscreen on his right forearm. Smith received an eight-game suspension, which he elected to appeal.
Michael Pineda — April 23, 2014
Pineda appeared to have pine tar on his palm during an April 10 start against the Red Sox, but the team didn't complain because the substance disappeared the inning after it was brought to Red Sox manager John Farrell's attention. During the second inning of a game two weeks later, Farrell again spotted something on Pineda's neck and approached home-plate umpire and crew chief Gerry Davis. Davis checked Pineda's body and uniform before going to his neck and wiping away the pine tar. Pineda was immediately ejected from the game and later suspended 10 games.
Joel Peralta — June 19, 2012
Nationals manager Davey Johnson complained about the glove of Rays reliever Joel Peralta, and insisted umpires check out the situation. They found pine tar and Peralta was ejected, which led to a heated exchange between Johnson and Rays manager Joe Maddon. Peralta had previously pitched for the Nats, and Maddon took exception to Johnson abusing his inside knowledge of the pitcher's methods.
Kenny Rogers — Oct. 22, 2006
In Game 2 of the World Series, the umps asked wily veteran Kenny Rogers of the Tigers to clean off his hand after spotting a brown substance on his left thumb. Rogers said the mark was a mixture of mud, resin, spit and dirt, and when he came out for the next inning, his hand was clean. He went on to pitch shutout baseball in a Tigers victory.
Brendan Donnelly — June 14, 2005
Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly got a 10-day suspension for having pine tar on his glove. Years later, he'd become a vocal supporter of legalizing the substance, arguing the value and added safety of pitchers having better control over the ball.
Julian Tavarez — Aug. 20, 2004
Julian Tavarez of the St. Louis Cardinals was hit with a 10-day suspension after umpires discovered pine tar on his dirty cap.
Zach Day — May 17, 2003
Expos pitcher Zach Day was tossed after glue was found on his right middle finger, supposedly to cover up a blister that had bothered him for the first two innings.
Byung-Hyun Kim — June 9, 1999
D'Backs 20-year-old rookie reliever Byung-Hyun Kim got ejected from a game with the Cubs when a bandage that contained heat balm fell from his shirt sleeve. Kim said he used the bandage when he pitched in Korea and had simply forgotten to remove it.
Brian Moehler — May 1, 1999
Brian Moehler of the Tigers struggled for the first couple of innings against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs. The next four innings, he allowed just one hit. Tampa manager Larry Rothschild complained, and umpires found sandpaper taped to Moehler's thumb. When asked, Moehler said the substance was dirt.
Jay Howell — Oct. 8, 1988
Dodgers reliever Jay Howell was hit with a 2-day suspension for pine tar in his glove, in midst of the NLCS against the Mets.
Kevin Gross — Aug. 11, 1987
Phillies pitcher Kevin Gross was ejected from a game against the Cubs, after umpires discovered sandpaper glued to the inside of his glove. He received a 10-day suspension and the glove was confiscated by MLB.
Joe Niekro — Aug. 3, 1987
Days before Gross' incident, Minnesota's Joe Niekro got a 10-day suspension of his own after being caught with an emery board and sandpaper in his back pocket.
Gaylord Perry — Aug. 23, 1982
Even toward the end of his career, Gaylord Perry still slipped in his notorious spitball here and there. As a member of the Mariners, the Hall of Famer was ejected for allegedly throwing the pitch against the Boston Red Sox, his first career ejection that was followed by a 10-day suspension.
Rick Honeycutt — Sept. 30, 1980
Rick Honeycutt of the Mariners was caught using a thumbtack to doctor the baseball when Willie Wilson of the Royals spotted the tack, taped to the pitcher's finger, after hitting a double. The umpires discovered not just the tack, but an inadvertent gash on Honeycutt's forehead incurred after he rubbed his face. He was ejected, suspended for 10 games, and hit with a fine of $250.
Don Sutton — July 14, 1978
Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton was ejected from a game after it was discovered he was throwing a scuffed ball. He was originally ejected and suspended for 10 days, but later threatened to sue the National League and the issue went away.
In A.M. Clicks, I mentioned how Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith was ejected from Thursday's game against the Braves for having rosin and sunscreen on his right forearm. I then followed it up with an Uncle Phil reference since that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the name 'Will Smith' in print. But that's neither here nor there. Above is a gallery of pitchers doctoring baseballs (click here for full-size gallery).
Andrew McCutchen's Pay Stub
I can confirm he makes more than a Sports Illustrated Web Producer.
John Slattery Stars in 1988 SI Commercial
Still need your John Slattery fix now that Mad Men is over? Allow me to point you in the direction of this 1988 Sports Illustrated commercial, which was one of the actor's first roles. And if anyone has a copy of "All New Not-So Great Moments in Sports," take a bow.
P.M. Lovely Lady of the Day
It's been a while since Jessica White made an appearance as LLOD. I can't think of a better way to start a long weekend (click here for full-size gallery).
Italian Amateur Soccer President Fired for Calling Women Players ‘Lesbians’
Not much more to add to that headline.
Two Bears Fight Over Garbage
And people say New Jersey is boring.
Promo Shots of Pro Wrestlers in '80s
This may be the high point of your weekend.
NFL Memes Bonanza
Thank you to Kissing Suzy Kolber for this treasure trove.
Ever Wonder What Team Donovan McNabb Supports in NHL Playoffs?
This Does Not Need To Stop
Sexual Donut Alert
Jahlil Okafor vs. Puppy
Odds & Ends
Draymond Green's mom is the best ... Top 10 things to watch on the WWE Network. This list should've included theLegends of Wrestling roundtable, which rule ... Uproxx debated the most popular lawn game in advance of Memorial Day Weekend ... Catch up on SI.com's 10 most popular stories from this week ... The 101 hottest celebrity Instagram pics of the week ... The first photos from the set of Wet, Hot American Summer are out ... An 89-year-old World War II veteran graduated from college 70 years after quitting school to go off to war ... Amy Schumer's next project: a mother-daughter comedy ... Three husky puppies play tug of war with their mom ... Is The Big Lewbowski a retelling of Alice in Wonderland?
SI's Newest Swimsuit Model
Casting for the 2016 SI Swimsuit issue is in full swing. Here's the lastest candidate - Imena de Barros.
Baseball's Favorite Singing Vendor
Meet Howard (Opera Man) Greer, a beer vendor at Coors Field. (H/T FTW)
Timeout With T.O.
Our pal Tiffany Oshinsky with a review of the week in sports.
That's All
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone. Don't do anything dumb. We'll have a fresh Hot Clicks on Monday.
Click here for previous versions of Hot Clicks, visit our Extra Mustard Page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories. Also check out the SwimDaily Page for the latest updates and Instagram pictures of models who have appeared in our issues.