Cheater ?

[FRENCHREDSOX]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6088362

[disposablehero]

yea, at least Fox Sports checks their facts before printing a story *cough* Torre Fired *cough*

[disposablehero]

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/664...ands412ii6.jpg

ALCS game 3 on the left, last night on the right

[ohms_law]

bout time someone posted something about "dirtgate"
lol

"dirtgate", i love it.


Umpires are idiots. And what's with La Russa letting the issue slide like that?

[SirKodiak]

I would assume it is because he is such close friends with Leyland. Perhaps he figures they can work things out between themselves?

[disposablehero]

now there are photos showing up from 3 more regular season games with the same mysterious substance.

i think it points to A) he's been cheating all along B) he has some routine that causes the smudge, ie. the way he picks up his glove, the way he rubs his sack, the way he grips the ball after getting it back from the catcher, etc.

making a loose fist makes your index, middle, and ring fingers land directly on the place where the smudge is *shrug*

[ohms_law]

yea, that's what ESPN is offering as way of explaination as well. I don't buy it though. I mean, if my best friend and I were manager's of opposite teams in the world series! we would probably be fighing in the media like cats and dogs, not being all chummy and talking nice about each other...


Seriously, i think that yall know by now that i'm not much of a conspericy theorist. I don't think that there's any actual consperacy, but something wierd is going on. I don't really think that it's La Russa or Leyland either. Gotta be the Umps, their union, and mostly Seilig. There is that CBA agreement coming up again...

[FRENCHREDSOX]

Well it will be interesting to see if the infamous "dirt" will be there if he gets to re pitch in the series...

[Robb]

I would assume it is because he is such close friends with Leyland. Perhaps he figures they can work things out between themselves?

Friendship or not. That's no excuse to let it slide.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

Friendship or not. That's no excuse to let it slide.

ISNT friendship the best thing man can have ? Anyway if it was "something illegal" La Russa would have gone out & got him checked. I know this may sound silly but MAYBE Rogers (due to his past post season record) did something different in the Yankee Game (compared to his usual pre game preparation) & now has a "superstition" going on (maybe he wiped his @rse with his hand or some dumb thing like that)

[SirKodiak]

Friendship or not. That's no excuse to let it slide.

I personally think it is. Some stranger punches me in the face, I probably call the authorities. A close friend punches me in the face, I don't, because it can be worked out.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

Where is the sig Sirkodiak ?

[SirKodiak]

...

[HoustonGM]

You can turn it on/off.

[ohms_law]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/of.../pitcher_8.jsp

8.02
The pitcher shall not --
(a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand. PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeated offenders shall be subject to a fine by the league president.
(2) expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove;
(3) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing;
(4) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
(5) deface the ball in any manner; or
(6) deliver a ball defaced in a manner prescribed by Rule 8.02(a)(2) through (5) or what is called the “shine” ball, “spit” ball, “mud” ball or “emery” ball. The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands.
PENALTY: For violation of any part of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through (6):
(a) The pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the game and shall be suspended automatically for 10 games.
(b) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation.
(c) Even though the offense elects to take the play, the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in subsection (a) will still be in effect.
(d) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated.
Rules 8.02(a)(2) through 8.02(a)(6) Comment: If a pitcher violates either Rule 8.02(a)(2) or Rule 8.02(a)(3) and, in the judgment of the umpire, the pitcher did not intend, by his act, to alter the characteristics of a pitched ball, then the umpire may, in his discretion, warn the pitcher in lieu of applying the penalty set forth for violations of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through 8.02(a)(6). If the pitcher persists in violating either of those Rules, however, the umpire should then apply the penalty.
Rule 8.02(a) Comment: If at any time the ball hits the rosin bag it is in play. In the case of rain or wet field, the umpire may instruct the pitcher to carry the rosin bag in his hip pocket. A pitcher may use the rosin bag for the purpose of applying rosin to his bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball with the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from the bag to his glove or dust any part of his uniform with the rosin bag.
(b) Have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this section (b) the penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game. In addition, the pitcher shall be suspended automatically for 10 games.
(c) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players other then the catcher, when the batter is in position, except in an attempt to retire a runner.
PENALTY: If, after warning by the umpire, such delaying action is repeated, the pitcher shall be removed from the game.
(d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter.
If, in the umpire’s judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to:
1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or
2. may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager.
If, in the umpire’s judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially “warned” prior to the game or at any time during the game.
(League Presidents may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05.)
Rule 8.02(d) Comment: To pitch at a batter’s head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be—and is—condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.