Well, at least it doesn’t involve banging garbage cans.
According to an ESPN report (following a story by the Los Angeles Times), Los Angeles Angels visiting clubhouse manager Brian Harkins has been fired after allegations he was providing “illegal sticky substances” in the visiting clubhouse. Those substances here — suspected of being combination of melted-down pine tar and rosin — would potentially enhance a pitcher’s ability to grip the baseball.
Related: MLB Wants to Limit In-Game Video Usage in Wake of Scandal
Neither the Angels nor Harkins, a 2005 visiting clubhouse manager of the year winner who had been with the Angels for 30 years, had any additional comment. ESPN reports that the Angels believe Harkins acted alone, and no other clubhouse attendants were fired.
While using a foreign substance to doctor baseballs is illegal, the use is widespread, with Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer recently speculating that 70 percent of pitchers use some sort of substance.
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