Baseball is back, sort of. MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) will play a shortened 60-game season starting in late July, with teams opening their training camps on July 1st. After months of negotiations about salary and number of games, the Commissioner Rob Manfred had to mandate a season according to the March agreement between all parties. Therefore, we will see the New York Yankees seek their 28th championship this season.
One of the new rules for the season is that pitchers will be allowed to keep a wet rag in their back pocket. The purpose of this is for hurlers to touch it against their fingers and improving grip. That would mean that they won’t be licking their fingers, like they have always done, thus decreasing the chance of covering the ball with the dreaded coronavirus.
However, according to a former New York Yankees relief pitcher, the allowance of the wet rag will likely result in hurlers using it to cheat during games. He seems to believe that they will put banned substances on the rag instead of just water.
The former Yankees pitcher wishes hitters good luck
“Love the wet rag rule for 2020,†Nelson tweeted. “Pitchers are allowed to carry a wet rag in their back pocket instead of licking their fingers. Good luck hitters, water won’t be the only thing on that rag.â€
Nelson was a mainstay in the late 90s Yankees franchise as a relief pitcher paving the way for the great Mariano Rivera. He pitched for years in the majors, and he knows how pitchers think and act.
In 798 games, Nelson pitched 784.2 frames and had a 3.41 career ERA, with a 3.73 FIP and 9.3 fWAR. He had a 24.4 K% and a 12.6 BB%. His career lasted 15 seasons, five with the New York Yankees (with four rings.)
Umpires will have the right to inspect the pitchers’ rag whenever they want in games, so it won’t be that easy to cheat and put some other substances.