New York Mets star Max Scherzer explained his side of the story after he was ejected from Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers for having a sticky substance on his hand.
Scherzer was subjected to a substance check between innings. The referees took a close look at the fingers of the three-time Cy Young Award winner. After some lively discussion, the umpires decided to throw Scherzer out and remove his glove.
The right-handed pitcher addressed the incident with reporters after the game.
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Los Angeles, CA – April 19: Mets starter Max Max Scherzer (21) reacts after being ejected in the fourth inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
«After the second inning, my hand was a little lumpy from the rosin. That’s why it was lumpy. Phil (Cuzzi) told me to wash it off. So I washed it off. I came back after the third one. I washed it with alcohol and when i went back out the alcohol may be a little sticky on the rosin that can happen so he says it’s too sticky you have to go back in there wash it off and reapply the rosin.
«So I did that and at the same time he thought my glove had too much rosin on it. And I was like, ‘OK, if that’s a problem, that’s fine.’ It’s like you need a new glove. Okay, so I went out, I threw the third and I knew I was going to get checked in the fourth, so I would have to be an absolute jerk to try to do something when I came back there in the fourth.
«After that third inning, I’m in front of the MLB official below here. I wash my hand with alcohol in front of the official. Then I apply rosin and then I sweat. When I come back out and Phil Cuzzi says my hand is too sticky Yes when you’re wearing sweat and rosin your hand is sticky But I don’t understand how I get kicked out when I’m in front of an MLB official doing exactly what you want and being considerate my hand is too sticky when I’m using legal substance No I understand that.»
Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets reacts after an ejection by umpire Phil Cuzzi #10 during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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When asked about the interaction with him and Cuzzi, Scherzer said the referee told him his hand was too sticky.
«I swear on the lives of my children, I’m not wearing anything else. This is sweat and rosin. Sweat and rosin,» Scherzer added.
Referee Dan Bellino addressed the situation to a group reporter, according to MLB.com.
Scherzer’s hand «was so sticky that when we touched his hand, our fingers would stick to his hand. And whatever was on it stayed on our fingers after a couple of innings,» he said.
New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) and manager Buck Showalter dispute a call from umpire Phil Cuzzi, center, and umpire Dan Bellino, right, after they found a problem with Scherzer’s glove during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles. , Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
It is unclear at this time if Scherzer would be punished for the incident.
Scherzer was tested for goo while with the Washington Nationals in 2021. He underwent multiple tests in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Scherzer played for the Dodgers in 2021.
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The Mets would beat the Dodgers 5-3 after all the hype.