https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/06/04/sticky-stuff-is-the-new-steroids-daily-cover Maybe Astros learned from 2017/2018...... they weren't in the top 10 in year over year increased spin rates per the article. Like sign stealing, it seems like a widespread issue with varying degrees of use.
I mean we probably did get heavily into it, but according to the spin rate data we "stopped" between 2020 and 2021. Maybe earlier, after we lost Cole. Meanwhile it took off with everyone else.
I'm not that concerned with Framber. His turnaround was because he refined his control, which doesn't happen with increased spin. Now I am concerned with guys like Javier, Garcia and Urquidy. Three guys that throw a 93-95mph 4-seamer, but get lots of whiffs due to the high spin rates.
Spoiler 29 other fan bases on why they boo the Astros but root, root, root for their favorite cheater: LOL @ Red Sox booing last night. Not like you haven’t been caught twice and your manager hasn’t been caught twice(HOU/BOS) and you didn’t sign Marwin Gonzalez.
One thing is clear. Pittsburgh Pirates are clean. Bonds and Cole. I guess they are blue collar after all. Which is ironic given the Steelers cheat without even thinking.
Maybe its just my Astro ego wanting justice, but this scandal thing beyond the Astros seems to be picking up steam. I hope it turns into a geyser.
Bottom Line - It's a Media Darling and just like any NYC or LA team, will be issued a stern warning at most. I you take down such media darlings, it is dealt with as harshly as they think they can get away with.
They are all cheating/ bending the rules -- it has always been a part of baseball and nothing is going to change that.
There is quite a variety of sticky substances or a mixture of them like pine tar and sunblock that they use -- some balls that have been recovered will stick to your hand without gripping it. The entire situation is fairly ridiculous.
“I’m not advocating for it, please don’t think I’m advocating for it but go hit Josh Donaldson in the ribs! You wanna talk ****?! Get hit in the ribs!”
Someone posted an Athletic article that apparently points to the Astros as the ones that got the "sticky stuff" era started. The media/teams/fans will jump at any chance to again pin this on the Astros to take the heat off their teams. Oh and the Astros also cooked up steroids in their clubhouse.
if Cole and Bauer truly come back down to earth, in regards to spin rates, and their performance is more pedestrian (and certainly not worth 40 million/year)… you will see a justified reaction… and a market correction on top notch pitching.
The data does not show we stopped. We had already plateaued in our spin rate gains. Or maybe Brent Strom is just a pitching wizard...
