This has been the social argument over the past week, what was on Yadier Molina’s chest protector, why didn’t Joe Maddon question it, and pointing out how this is status quo for the St. Louis Cardinals. Chicago Cubs fans have been livid! Blaming the Cardinals catcher of cheating. Baseball fans everywhere seemed to chime in, swaying the conversation one way or another.
Yadier Molina with the pine tar on the chest plate?! Is that the #Cardinals secret to having a top staff every year! WOW #mlb #STLCards pic.twitter.com/q6vEGL3SwY
— High and Outside (@abaseballpod) April 6, 2017
On WSCR-670 The Score’s Spiegel and Perkins, Joe Maddon was asked what he thought happened. Joe, and I’m paraphrasing, mentioned that of course there was something on Molina’s chest or something the pitcher put put the ball. He also blamed the equipment, noting the groves in the padding, and the bounce creating a “perfect storm.”
Maddon would go on to say, he doesn’t care if the pitcher or catcher used a sticky substance, “for grip,” and when pushed said rules may need to be amended as long as they do not allow action seen from a spitball. Joe honestly doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal either.
“I don’t understand why it’s such a cloak and dagger situation.”
Why doesn’t Joe care? Because all teams do something like this. Spray skin, pine tar, other sticky substances… They all do it.
You can hear the interview in its entirety here.
