Max Scherzer, the ace pitcher for the New York Mets, faced controversy during Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scherzer was ejected from the game in the fourth inning after umpires found a foreign substance on his glove during a routine inspection (The New York Times, sports section, posts from August 11, 2021). This incident could potentially lead to a 10-game suspension for Scherzer (Sports Illustrated).
However, Scherzer has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the stickiness on his hand was due to a combination of sweat and rosin, and not an illegal substance (New York Post). Despite the controversy, Scherzer had pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and two walks with three strikeouts before being ejected from the game (USA Today).
Scherzer’s ejection came amidst a recent crackdown by Major League Baseball on the use of foreign substances by pitchers, as it has been deemed both unfair and potentially dangerous to the hitters (Bleacher Report). This recent development has led to umpires conducting random checks on pitchers and their equipment (CBS Sports).
However, Scherzer’s ejection sparked a heated conversation between him and the umpires, which ultimately led to his removal from the game (Fox News). This incident greatly affects the Mets, who have relied on Scherzer’s talents on the mound, especially as they are currently trying to secure a spot in the playoffs (MLB.com).
The situation with Scherzer also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of foreign substances in baseball, and how it could potentially impact the sport’s integrity and fairness (Sporting News). The league and players’ union are currently in discussions about a possible resolution to this issue (The New York Times).
Therefore, as Scherzer and the Mets await further action by the league, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and controversies facing baseball today (CBS Sports).
