Sticky Substance

The sticky substance is now in the spotlight of MLB = remember back when it was the playerss & their use of steroids. The accusations, THE LIST - suspensions WHEN found GUILTY after investigation. Remember the trainer who named names but not necessarily with proof. Roger Clemens was one but still proclaiming innocence Roger took his case to the Supreme Court and was never found guily in the courts - BUT the accusation was enough to keep him out of the Hall, to tarnish his records. Apparently innocent until proven guilty does carry much wait - an unproven accusation is enough to ruin a career. Throughout the "Roid Era" players through the MLBPA were united - Now we have the sticky substance coming into headlines - a disgruntled clubhouse staffer of the LAA who was fired is using this to get attention for his case. His accusations are having a snowball effect: = first he names Gerrit Cole but when you read the text allegdely sent by Gerrit - the inquiry is about a substance to help with his grip going into cold weather sites. Getting a grip on the ball is needed for command - batters use pine tar to grip the bats-not sure how a mixture of pine tar & rosin (which is what pitchers have always used to get a better grip) has to do with spin rate. Which is the accusation that Josh Donaldson has made against the Yankee pitcher. Well now seems the former clubhouse attendant has added to his list: Max Scherzer and Korey Kluber - but there's more he goes back to Joba Chamerblain (remember him also a former Yankee). Alleges Joba also requested something tacky and then Joba referred this info on to Kluber. Oh the tangled web we have going - more accusations, suspicions and rotten headlines for the media to gain notriety. Sadly the accusations even if proven unfounded will influence reputations and careers.

One more thing as we have hitters leaking out pitchers they suspect - we see a wedge forming in the players' union. Cole is a member of the Executive Committee which will be dealing with the issue. Donaldson is a player - The rift couldn't come at a worse time with the CBA to expire on December 31st an a new season cannot begin until a new agreement is in place. It's not just going to be the players vs. the owners but players v players v owners. After the bad vibes created in trying to get the 2020 COVID season in the books, this does not bode well for a 2022 season.

Can you tell it's a boring, rainy day with no New York sports to look forward to tonight??? So I rant a little, express some rambling thoughts to pass the time.