Mets’ Max Scherzer Ejected from Game Over Foreign Substance (The New York Times) – Max Scherzer, the ace pitcher for the New York Mets, was ejected from Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a foreign substance found on his glove during a routine check by the umpires. Scherzer had thrown three scoreless innings with three strikeouts before being forced to leave the game. This incident has placed another spotlight on the use of foreign substances in Major League Baseball, with Scherzer now facing a potential 10-game suspension as a result of his ejection. (USA Today)
The controversy began when umpires requested to inspect Scherzer’s glove during the fourth inning, following a strikeout of Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Scherzer was found to have a sticky substance on his glove, and after a heated conversation with the umpires, he was ejected from the game. Shortly after the game, Scherzer explained that his hand was sticky due to sweat and rosin, stating that he did not use any foreign substance to gain an advantage. (New York Post)
Despite his ejection, the Mets went on to win the game against the Dodgers with a final score of 5-3. Scherzer’s ejection marks the latest incident in a wave of enforcement efforts by Major League Baseball to eliminate the use of foreign substances. The league issued new guidelines earlier this year, and umpires have been conducting regular inspections of pitchers during games. (Sports Illustrated)
Scherzer is one of the most prominent pitchers in the league, with a career record of 189-97 and a lifetime ERA of 3.16. He joined the Mets earlier this year in a trade with the Washington Nationals, and has been a key player in their push for a playoff spot this season. The Mets have not yet released a statement regarding Scherzer’s ejection, but the incident is likely to have significant implications for the team moving forward. (MLB.com)
The debate around foreign substances in baseball is likely to continue as the league attempts to crack down on this issue. While some have argued that using substances such as pine tar or sunscreen can help pitchers improve their grip on the ball, others have called for more severe consequences for those found to be using them. Scherzer’s ejection is a reminder of the ongoing controversy, and the impact it can have on both players and teams in the league. (Sporting News)
