Personally, the video you are about to watch (brought to my attention by figgifig) is pretty amazing: I would say this is pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement.
He has mastered the Angels so far in the ALCS but has Major League Baseball gotten a look at how he "warms up" for his appearance on the mound? You be the judge...
The spitball was banned by baseball in the early 1920s. It gave the pitcher an unfair advantage with the "funny" movement that the pitch seemed to make, and was deemed unsafe to batters as the ball was not as visible when marred with foreign substances.
and a link to DETAILED SCREENGRABS of this infraction.
0 recs | 141 comments
Damn, what the hell was that?!
gohalos912 - October 19, 2009
A dirty rotten cheater.
AlanFalcon - October 19, 2009
Damn, I hope that's not true. I actually respect that Yankee. Haha
gohalos912 - October 19, 2009
That's why no yankee should be respected.
angelsfan777 - October 20, 2009
Look very closely at the picture. Ignore the massive amount of black. But the blue line is pointing to a tiny white line. That white line is spit.
Figgi4life - October 19, 2009
Also, sorry about the sideways-ness
Figgi4life - October 19, 2009
you notice how fast they cut away after the saw the loogie...
FOX and all of MLB has such a Yankees biased… They also always cut away on many of Damon’s throws as to not make him look like a fairy…
haloforlife - October 19, 2009
Well...
I just watched it back on my DVR recording in HD and it looked like it missed the ball…
So I would say inconclusive… Maybe he was just spitting like every other ball player, or maybe he missed this time… ???
HawaiiHaloFan35 - October 19, 2009
i'll try to post a pic
if i can
HawaiiHaloFan35 - October 19, 2009
or hit the side of the ball?
Rev Halofan - October 19, 2009
naw,
i’m pretty sure i saw it pass over his hand
HawaiiHaloFan35 - October 19, 2009
That's what I was trying to see
But it’s suspicious that he’d look at the ball, look in the direction of the umps, and THEN spit. I voted inconclusive…however
Figgi4life - October 19, 2009 via mobile
true
i agree
HawaiiHaloFan35 - October 19, 2009
it hits ball
i have a grab of the spit splattering up off the ball
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 19, 2009
Not to defend Mariano here, but skip forward a few frames and look at Soth's jacked for that "splatter".
AlanFalcon - October 19, 2009
Agree. See my comment in QGS' post.
It’s the maker’s logo of Sosh’s uni.
Stirrups - October 19, 2009
yah i saw that now
i still think it hits hand and ball
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 19, 2009
Uh...
The dude cheated. Right there. Live and in front of America. MLB has one, and only one, recourse: pull the video from Youtube.
Stirrups - October 19, 2009
Bwahaha.
If your Tivo is mysteriously failing tomorrow morning I think we’ll have a winner.
AlanFalcon - October 19, 2009
anyon can buy the video of this game for like $2.99 on itunes
figgifig - October 19, 2009
looks like hey hung a big fatty on that ball, and right after looking to see who was watching
peteyweestro - October 19, 2009
some screen grabs from my mlb.tv feed
http://www.halosheaven.com/2009/10/19/1092390/mariano-rivera-caught-doctoring
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 19, 2009
nice screen grabs
figgifig - October 19, 2009
So the rule is: You're subject to an ejection if you're caught during the game?
AlanFalcon - October 19, 2009
let's not forget
that there was similar controversy with K-Rod doctoring the ball a while back…
Just sayin’…
HawaiiHaloFan35 - October 19, 2009
Wasnt that touching the bill of his hat?
No evidence he had anything in his hat however.
Im still not sure what to make of this. First time through I thought for sure he spat on the ball, but now im not so sure.
anaheim angels - October 20, 2009
OK now
That explains it.
Based on that one video it is tough to tell if the spit hits the ball, but it may have hit his hand too for use that way. The really shady part is the way he looks around first.
Soth better keep an eye on that guy.
elricsi - October 19, 2009
Completely inconclusive...
There is no way to tell what angle the magical loogie was being directed.
This does, however, remind me of a classic Seinfeld episode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEzBeP6pRoY&feature=PlayList&p=D5E7102F1B32ED20&index=0&playnext=1
bc56274 - October 19, 2009
KEith Hernandez!
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
YES!!
Back and to the left!
TheAntiSox - October 20, 2009
pretty inconclusive?
check Q’s Goofy Swing’s still shots. Unless those are photoshopped spittles, you can plainly see spit dripping off the ball and his hand.
Rally Manatee - October 20, 2009
If he is not trying to spit on the ball
Why is he holding the ball up and looking at it while spitting?!!! Put the ball down and spit!!! Move your head and spit to the side…I don’t understand why he needs to even spit in the same direction…do you?
figgifig - October 19, 2009
If he is trying to spit on the ball,
why does he move the ball slightly to his right (and out of the direct line of ‘fire’) as he spits down?
Stirrups - October 19, 2009
he knows what angles they are filming him from? man he is good!...or I guess not cause he was caught
figgifig - October 19, 2009
Yeah. He also knows which camera is lit. That is why he failed to turn his back/
He yearns to be caught. He is crying out for help.
Stirrups - October 19, 2009
i'm sure all cameras are lit
the van just mixes in real time.
PagsBrewCrew - October 21, 2009
WOW! GET THIS OUT INTO THE BLOGOSPHERE/ INTERNET !!!
I suggest you make this a big deal. Email it to peeps at LA Times blog and what not. Tweet it, Digg IT, put it on your facebook, etc.
C’mon internet-savvy people…at least make a controversy out of this!!
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - October 19, 2009
A banner-plane flying over the stadium tomorrow would be fine.
44FAN - October 19, 2009
Actually
If you have a Digg account the story is posted there with the video.
http://digg.com/d317fX4
anaheimisnotla - October 20, 2009
the video maker posted it there.
a twins’ fan
figgifig - October 20, 2009
I wonder what OTM thinks...
BruinHalo - October 20, 2009 via mobile
If I recall the rule,
even if the umps see this, all they do is warn him for the first offense. He doesn’t get booted until the second offense.
Stirrups - October 19, 2009
and i mean...
the pitcher replaces the ball like a billion times in an inning.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - October 19, 2009
anything to get in his head
i want him to be afraid to take a shit while he’s at home
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 19, 2009
+1
AlanFalcon - October 19, 2009
This is disgusting.
Do something about it, MLB. Save you effing integrity, what little is left.
Clutch - October 19, 2009
I sent this to Deadspin already...AND MORE PEOPLE SHOULD
…just so they actually pick up on it.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - October 19, 2009
Fuck it we won.
And if he did spit on the ball then karma will be coming to collect.
SenorChuckles - October 19, 2009
I'm in a weird place
I need a ride home
Shit… I lost my glasses
Funke5ive - October 20, 2009 via mobile
call a cab
take it to the Anaheim Marriot and bill Joe Girardi for the ride.
Rev Halofan - October 20, 2009
Haha, rev
Good for you knowing where the umps stay…And drink post game. Bartender Tamara is the shit. (I just sold her out) Hehehe I got some good shit on some of our faviorite umps. Please believe!
Funke5ive - October 20, 2009 via mobile
good thing you have a phone or lap top with you.
figgifig - October 20, 2009
*usually laptop is one word...but not this time...I guess.
figgifig - October 20, 2009
Are you guys serious?
In no way is he trying to get away with cheating there. Dropping a giant wad of herpes simplex 1 in front of 50,000 fans and a million cameras is just so obvious, so stupid, and he would have been caught ages ago.
Besides, he has to doctor the ball EVERY pitch, you dont just lube up the ball once and its good to go.
There are so many reasons why this is absolutely not even close to being anything that people should take action against.
Find video clips of him spitting on the ball over the course of a series, then you have a case. One time is in no way grounds for calling anyone a cheater.
He might have just accidentally spit on the ball, which was instantly replaced, because all balls usually are.
PhiSlamma - October 20, 2009
angel stadium doesn't hold 50,000 people
so I discredit anything else you said. ;)
figgifig - October 20, 2009
you're not counting all the concession people
now Phi’s comments are valid again.
Moondoggy - October 20, 2009
He said Fans so...
…still not valid.
But nice try bud. trying to throw a curve ball at me or should I say spit ball!
figgifig - October 20, 2009
The concession people are fans too
Moondoggy - October 20, 2009
Yup, and the Ushers and Front Office, and Grounds Crew, and some of the Broadcasters....
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
only some
Moondoggy - October 20, 2009
r u?
I mean this is as close as you can get to evidence. He is looking around as to avoid anyone looking. Back to home plate. He is looking directly at the ball as he spits and if he somehow missed it doesn’t look like he’s trying to miss. And so only because he does it once it is not evidence.
And if he spit on it. It wouldn’t be replaced until after he pitches and only if it’s fouled or hits the floor. Other wise it is tossed back by Posada.
RedAces - October 20, 2009
You see one pitcher spit on the ball, possibly accidentally
and assume he does it constantly, without any proof, and then demand action?
Seriously, I expect way more out of the HH community, and especially Rev, than this uneducated attention grab.
PhiSlamma - October 20, 2009
*Further proof
Show me other evidence, in any other video clip at anytime where is even looks like he is doctoring the ball, and it could possibly be a story.
You would think with how much the Red Sox hate the Yanks, one fan or player or coach would have picked this up by now>
PhiSlamma - October 20, 2009
well the person who posted the video is a twins fan
figgifig - October 20, 2009
That does NOT make Rivera a cheater.
Come on, lets give respect where respect is due.
Absent minded spitting while thinking about what hes going to do to A Rods body later at the hotel suite.
PhiSlamma - October 20, 2009
I just want to know why he didn't move his head or put the ball down.
not saying he does it all the time or ever before…maybe its a new thing…he is about to turn 40. I do have respect for him but he still should be asked about this.
figgifig - October 20, 2009
this
I also have respect for him too. Kinda like for A-Roids. I really do.
RedAces - October 20, 2009
i never said he is doing it constantly I said it seems pretty clear that he is trying to spit at it here
and r u that silly to think that he just accidentally looks directly at the ball when spitting. Do you really think that one of the best all time closers doesn’t know the rule of spitting on balls and is just gonna make it look like he might be spitting at it.
Dude if I’m him and I’m just spitting I’m holding that ball far away and hocking one as to not give any reason to be accused of docing the ball. Surely we may be ruining your dreams of having a God like Closer kinda like when a kid is told that Santa is not real.
And maybe your referencing the people that voted him banned. I for one believe he did it but would agree that this is not enough proof to suspend him. Only good thing that comes out of this is if he is, now he can’t anymore.
RedAces - October 20, 2009
I agree...why is he spitting near the ball at all when it could be seen like he is cheating?...
when I go to a music store I don’t walk around with the cd’s in my pocket that I am going to buy while I look around still just because I don’t want to carry them around…this could be seen as stealing.
He knows the rules and even if he is just spitting it could accidentally land on the ball when you hold the ball up right under the direction of the spit…which actually would still be against the rules…right?
Also no don’t ban him…he can’t be banned anyways.
figgifig - October 20, 2009
perfect analogy
if you aint doing anything wrong why give the appearance of it. I mean he could have held the ball a lil lower at least but obv he would prob miss. Even though it looks like he has some dam good location with his spits too.
RedAces - October 20, 2009
Maybe ...
put the ball in his glove?
eyespy - October 20, 2009
whhhhhhhaaaaat?!....
as a pitcher when spitting…it is best to play the game of “how close can my spit come to the ball without hitting it”…its really fun, trust me I was a catcher/OF in little league…geez…you don’t even know me anymore do you?!
figgifig - October 20, 2009
Right now...
In a dimly lit hotel room …
A half empty bottle of Blue Label sits on the end table …
Jeter’s used jock from tonights game stuffed loosely in his mouth …
Joe Buck’s laptop is plugged in to the wall socket …
Boxers down at the kneecaps …
Limp skin whistle in hand …
Joe has this very clip on endless loop …
The fucker is passed-out and is snoring loud, even through the filthy jock in his mouth …
Housekeeping will wake him before tomorrow’s call time. But damn, what a night.
Red - October 20, 2009
But
did you find his glasses?
Stirrups - October 20, 2009
You sound like that pervert that liked to rent the hotel room next door
and video tape the sports reporter in the nude through the peep hole.
44FAN - October 20, 2009
you mean that ESPN reporter Erin Andrews video?
Man here is a LINK!
Hot
figgifig - October 20, 2009
My understanding is that a "spitball" is rarely doctored with spit
the video is pretty funny, but if he were seriously doctoring each ball with spit, he better have a bottle of water instead of a resin bag on the mound. Now if you told me he had vaseline on his belt buckle, I could believe that one.
Moondoggy - October 20, 2009
rosin bag
your welcome
eyespy - October 20, 2009
moondoggy likes resin ;)
figgifig - October 20, 2009
I do
Moondoggy - October 20, 2009
According to rule 8.02 of MLB's rules of "The Pitcher"
(emphasis mine)
And the most important part, which I think is the case here:
- LINK -
Make your own judgments, but this guy has been pitching since closing became fashionable. If he’d been spitting on the ball we’d know it by now.
The more curious case is what the hell Pettitte is doing with the ball in the glove-to-mouth zone before every pitch:
shiftyeyedgoat - October 20, 2009
It could be a new thang son...he OLD
you do have a shifty ass eye…hell you a damn goat!
“Fuck me in the goat ass!”
-who said it?
figgifig - October 20, 2009
adam sandler
eyespy - October 20, 2009
good job
best CD he put out.
tell him what he wins CHUCK!…
Well…he wins the ball that Rivera spit on!…APPLAUSE
figgifig - October 20, 2009
icky-poo
eyespy - October 20, 2009
I was just about to post the rules too
that reading sounds to me like the umpire only issues a warning when his is unsure if the pitcher actually doctored the ball.
If it wasn’t Mariano Rivera I would fully expect a suspension. I mean we go with the letter of the law when Aybar doesn’t touch 2nd on the neighborhood play, but Rivera spits on the ball and we’ll ignore those rules. Sounds good to me…….
Also anyone saying this is nothing, it most certainly is not. The spit is not applied for grip but it adds weight to one side of the ball which does give it extra movement which in a game which is decided by millimeters is HUGE. Anyone see the mythbusters where they tried to get a car to fall flat from a crane but since the extra weight of the motor made the cars top heavy the cars fell in that direction. It’s the same principle here. Add some weight to one side of a ball and watch it move.
MH252525 - October 20, 2009
No wonder
Nobody can hit his 89-91 mph fastball right down the pipe
TheAntiSox - October 20, 2009
You
know nothing about baseball do you? They can’t hit it because it breaks 4-6 inches after they’ve already started to swing, so they swing in the wrong place.
Wraithpk - October 20, 2009
I was kidding chode
I bothers me they can’t hit though.
TheAntiSox - October 20, 2009
*That they can’t hit HIS fastball rather
TheAntiSox - October 20, 2009
E-mailed
NY Times, Newsday, Post, Daily News.
cath619 - October 20, 2009
Much good it did him
The only use that ball he spit on had was in the bunt play by Aybar that Rivera threw in the dirt. They gave him a new ball after that and while I don’t know if he spat on that one, it would have been much harder to get away with it.
metric - October 20, 2009
Oh. My. God.
You have got to be kidding me guys. He was spitting on the ground. They do that in baseball. You guys won yesterday and you’re still finding something to complain about?
GMan83201 - October 20, 2009
What I wrote was
along the lines of: Hey, this looks weird. Take a look and let me know what you think.
If he’s not doing anything suspect, why look around and check the umps, and why spit so close to the ball? It’s just odd.
And we’ll always find something to complain about. :)
cath619 - October 20, 2009
He's looking around
because there are men on base and he wants to see the defense, I would expect. He doesn’t even spit close to the ball, he just spits on the same side of his body as the ball. What else should he do, turn over his shoulder every time he spits?
He probably doesn’t even think about not spitting on the same side of his body as the ball because it’s very, very obvious that he isn’t spitting on the ball.
GMan83201 - October 20, 2009
Yeah, "very, very obvious"
Why are you even defending him if it is so very, very obvious. Not obvious enough for so many media outlets to pick it up. Remember there was one man on second, no outs, tie game, with the league leader in bunts at bat; a 99.9% bunting situation. They bring in Rivera to face Aybar knowing he is up there to bunt the first pitch. The perfect situation for him to pull out the secret weapon…just saying.
Maybe there was still some stinky loogey on the ball when he made that wild throw to A-roid?
Idaho87 - October 20, 2009
You guys are nuts...
he’s not throwing spitballs. His cutter has such late and unpredictable movement because that’s what a cutter does, and Rivera has the ability to increase or decrease break on it.
No one in their right mind would try actually spitting on the ball, there are cameras everywhere and they would get caught. You guys won a game, be happy and stop trying to find crazy conspiracy theories.
Wraithpk - October 20, 2009
I've read alot of this kind of argument...
“He’s not doing it because only an idiot would do somthing like this and he’s not an idiot… QED”…
How about we try this line of logic…
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and spits like a duck, he’s a fucking cheater…” (My one F-bomb for the month)…
Look, I’m pretty sure that 99.99 % of the time, he’s not doctoring the ball. This one time it sure does look like he’s intentionally spitting directly on the ball. He looks directly at the ball, raises it up a little then spits in the direction of the ball. You can make all the “but he’s never been accused of this before” arguments all you want. The video shows him spitting on the ball. He really really needed an out and he got one… after spitting on the ball.
Jietoh - October 20, 2009
An impressive cutter made all the more impressive by....SPIT!
Quack, quack, quack. Look a duck.
Monkeyspanked - October 20, 2009
I'm not really sold on doctoring the ball..
but your argument that “no one in their right mind would try this because everyone is watching…”
Look at Manny, taking steroids, when MLB tests for steroids.
People will do crazy shit, regardless of the situation.
clover_black - October 20, 2009
Great job, guys. Now it's on Deadspin.
Now us angel fans are gonna appear pathetic and whiny. There’s NO WAY Rivera spit on that ball, in that fashion during a playoff game. C’mon, man. We won the game, let’s leave it at that.
Chone's Chonies - October 20, 2009
rofl @ Quinlins Goofy Swing being quoted
hahahaha
clover_black - October 20, 2009
Quinlan will get a salary bump next year if I get my way
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 20, 2009
Send in my photo of Q when you make your demands.
opiejeanne - October 20, 2009
Exactly.
This is a non-issue just like when K-Rod was accused of doctoring the ball by a blogger. Best to delete this and turn the page like The Soth.
Fan Since 1981 - October 20, 2009
it's just fun to speculate
who cares what deadspin commenters actually say? All that matters is the news gets put out there and maybe we’ll see a less doctored ball tonight if Mo was actually doing it, I highly doubt it but it wouldn’t be the first time in a championship series where a pitcher was doctoring balls…look up what Mike Scott did during the 1986 season and NLCS with Houston by scuffing balls read about it here: http://bit.ly/2ZTrD2.
jtkelly86 - October 20, 2009
Sorry guys, I'm not with you on this one
I seriously doubt he’s spitting on the ball. It looks to me like it goes past the ball on the other side from the camera.
I may be wrong, but the guy’s been pitching incredible baseball for 15 years. If he was doctoring the ball, it seems like something would have been documented before this. I just don’t buy it.
We won, it doesn’t matter.
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
No one said he spit on every pitch he's thrown since he was a rookie.
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
I didn't say that either
But if Rivera is using this pitch with the bases loaded in a playoff game, he’s done it before. No, that’s not evidence, just an argument.
Mainly, it looks like the spit goes past the ball. I’d like to see what pitch this was. Can anyone match this up with the pitchfx from Gameday? I remember one pitch to Torii Hunter that broke differently from most of his other pitches. If it was that pitch, I’ll be much more inclined to believe this.
Either way, it doesn’t matter. MLB isn’t going to do anything. The Angels won. The most we can do is be on the lookout for it the rest of the series. I’m not going to sit here and tell you Rivera isn’t capable of doing it, but it just seems implausible enough and it looks enough like the spit doesn’t the ball that I’m going to write this one off.
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
Fair enough
i voted for inconclusive myself even though my heart said “guilty!” You’re right that MLB prob. won’t do anything other than maybe read some of these posts, watch the video for themselves and decide that it doesn’t really show enough to justify throwing the shit at the fan.
What I hope will happen, though, is that a few influential media types (it’s nice to see it on deadspin and there was also an article on MSNBC.com today) will at least point to the incident and let people know that a question has been raised. Mariano Rivera is not God. He has pitched with the luxuries of great teams, an extra round of playoffs, and perhaps one of the easiest positions in all of baseball: closer. Imagine if the greats of the past (Young, Gibson, Ryan) had his job. Would Rivera even be a top 25 closer? Imagine trying to comeback from a 2 run deficit with Ryan throwing 99mph fastballs at your ear.
Rivera is merely a situational specialist and now he possibly has had to resort to cheating just to be that.
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
I agree with your position. I disagree with your observation.
Rivera looks around the infield, checking the game situation. He is NOT making sure that the umps are not looing, because he does not look at the 1B ump or the ump down the 1B line. And when he looks to his left there are 2 umps in that direction, so he would only be paying attention to 1. He is not trying to cover his ass.
But, anyway, then he goes to spit. Just prior to releasing his spit he clearly takes his right hand, with the ball, and moves it to his right to avoid spitting on the ball. He spits straight down. The spit travels between the camera and the ball.
The spit strikes the ground, just as Rivera inended, right on our logo. Hey…wait a minute…
Stirrups - October 20, 2009
This should never have been brought up
The Yankees are dangerous as it is. But word of these baseless accusations is going to really piss them off.
Fan Since 1981 - October 20, 2009
Really mess with their heads?
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
One of my favorite scenes
copy/paste from imdb.com
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
lol panther!
norcaliangelsfan - October 20, 2009
I love this scene too!
HalosFanInNorCal - October 20, 2009
Cheatin bastard!!!!!!!!!!
TSamn15 - October 20, 2009
FWIW, reply from Post columnist Mike Vaccaro
I emailed a few reporters/columnists a few hours ago. Got this back from the Post’s Mike Vaccaro:
Funny, this is everywhere this morning. It’s hard to doubt what the eyes see, no?
Very interesting …
Mike
Mike Vaccaro
Sports Columnist
New York Post
cath619 - October 20, 2009
So now we're as bad
as whiney second-rate Mariners bloggers? Great…
dmhead - October 20, 2009
Ugh.
Seriously.
There are three dimensions. Television squishes it down to two. He did not spit on the baseball. He is just a very good pitcher. Jesus, why are fans so conspiratorial.
RubixsQube - October 20, 2009
If he was a very good pitcher he'd be a starter.
He’s slightly more useful than a pinch hitter.
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
i bet a lot of teams would love to have
a “slightly more useful than a pinch hitter” player to lock down a lead in the 9th inning 36 times in the playoffs.
i’m not trying to troll, i like reading what a lot of you have to say. but i can’t put up with asinine comments like that. so Mariano Rivera = Lenny Harris? completely absurd.
SBakerTheTouchdownMaker - October 20, 2009
A lot of teams have those pitchers. They are called closers.
They down one thing very well. Kind of like punters and place kickers.
Match Day 5 - October 20, 2009
Cause it's fun
Fans, fanatical, fantastic, fantasy…c’mon, it’s all part of the game. Light(en) up and enjoy the show.
Idaho87 - October 20, 2009
haha
+1
dr-awkward - October 20, 2009
Did he spit on the ball? Possibly.
Was he throwing a spitball? Probably not. This is a non-issue.
IF he did spit on it, I’m willing to bet if the camera shot continued on Mariano for a couple more seconds, it would have shown him rubbed the ball with both hands as pitchers do, which would have smoothed the surface so that any “spit imperfections” would be squashed. Still, if he did spit on the ball, that is definitely not allowed, and he probably should have been warned.
All of this is just more drama for the media to feed off to add to a tough ALCS
swiss mcgee - October 20, 2009
That's not how you apply sumthing on to a spitball for onething
thats prolly the worst way to get a spitball if he was doing it. another thing is that god knows the TV doesn’t tell the whole truth. It’s stupid to think he gets away with a spit ball thru his whole career and the umps look away every time
lololol - October 20, 2009
I dislike this argument.
No one is claiming he has always done this. They are saying he did it yesterday. Was it a one-off?? Is he aging?? Was he feeling the pressure and tried to do something about it?
MLB is looking into it (via NY Post). I think there is more video out there (before the fade) which FOX should make available. This should be cleared up for everyone’s sake.
matthiasstephan - October 20, 2009
Shady yes, evidence no.
It should be looked into with more video from Fox. This clip doesn’t show enough but I have to say the Mariano has the look of someone trying not to get caught. He kind of looks like a 14 year old that is about the shoplift.
If this is something that he does all the time he would hide it better (belt buckle, hat, hair, zipper etc) but this in no way means that he isn’t guilty here. Someone qualified should take a look and not leave it up to us biased fans.
SalmonStream - October 20, 2009
I think you guys are crazy
I won’t say that I’m 100% certain that Rivera doesn’t cheat, but I’m pretty certain that he doesn’t do it by hocking a loogie two feet from the ball in front four umpires, 45,000 fans in attendance, and millions of people on TV.
LA Seitz - October 20, 2009
It's the playoffs. 6 umps.
Stirrups - October 20, 2009
My comment on the original fanpost was that.....
if Rivera’s intent was to merely spit on the ground, then it would be odd that he stared right at the ball the intire time from the moment he looked down at the ball after looking up towards 2nd base (to see if the 2nd base ump was looking ??) He was holding the ball up, raised as if it were a target.
When people spit they will usually look in the direction they are spitting, to make sure it doesn’t land on their shoe etc. You’d turn or raise your head and then spit.
Even if the spit missed the ball here it looks very odd. And intent in this case would be just as bad as actually succeeding at it.
Jack Frost - October 20, 2009
Surprise, Surprise--Commish has rule no spitting
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-rivera21-2009oct21,0,3118021.story
BS? Or the “truth”? Come on MLB, let’s see those “Extra angles and footage” that clear Mo’s name! :-D
Clutch - October 20, 2009
It'd be cool to see that extra footage in tonight's game.
Ideally, the extra footage would not precede another appearance from Rivera.
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
MLB has ruled "No Spitball"
No Spitball
So let’s all just move on and enjoy the games, shall we?
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
To sum up...
MLB has ruled that since he’s never been accused of doing this before, he’s innocent.
Jietoh - October 20, 2009
We should preemptively accuse everyone of everything.
And boy howdy, there would go that defense!
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
You guys have got to be kidding.....
FreeBradshaw - October 20, 2009
it looks like he's spitting but
a quick question for you:
i know spitting moves the ball around but how much does it make the ball move?
retrohalo - October 20, 2009
If you're gonna spit on it..masturbate on it...fuck it...you're a Yankee, the network will block that shit out with some "digital distortion"
Just whack away at your pecker and juice that ball…The umps are already paid, don’t worry about the details just slap some cum on the leather sphere and strike out the side…save some for your finger so you can slide that fuckin’ ring on….that’s all that matters.
Pocket Ninja - October 20, 2009
This is ridiculous
You guys are insane whiners. If he wanted to load up the ball (which is done with vaseline or petroleum jelly, not spit), he surely could have found a more discrete way than by holding the ball waist high and hocking a goober on it (e.g. putting vaseline on the underside of his hat brim, a la K-Rod). He’d surely have been caught doing this long ago if he had been. I also love how everyone on here is a spit expert. Rivera spits a lot. That’s the way it is. This time, a funny camera angle made it look like he spit near a ball. He didn’t actually spit on it, nor did he try to, nor would it have helped the movement on the pitch if he did, but continue to act like fools if you want, I suppose.
TheyCallMeBruce - October 21, 2009
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