Spitball Update: Selig's Office Investigates, Exonerates Rivera
by Rev Halofan on Oct 20, 2009 12:59 PM PDT
in News
79 comments
The New York Post is reporting that allegations originally published on Halos Heaven regarding video of Mariano Rivera appearing to spit on baseball in yesterday's ALCS game have been investigated by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.
While it took over a decade to dig into the steroid scandal it only took a few hours this morning for MLB to exonerate Rivera based on the video they had available from yesterday's game.
Selig's office said that the evidence they had was initially inconclusive but that additional images of the pitcher's warmup has satisfied them that he did not doctor the ball in any way and they have exonerated him from any allegations of impropriety.
News of the allegations have reached the Yankees. The Post got this quote from Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland:
"I would put my life on it that he didn't do that stuff. He's been pitching for years and not one word has ever been mentioned."
Well it has now. Maybe your guy shouldn't intently stare at the ball in the manner a man would stare at a target before hocking up a chunk of his lung in the general vicinity. Might make some of us "paranoid" Angels fans a little more trusting.
So what is more shocking:
That a Yankee gets a speedy trial?
That a Yankee gets off before a big game?
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I’m glad it was investigated, and I do think that the player involved and the magnitude of this series contributed to what amounts to a very speedy trial at the MLB home office.
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
by AlanFalcon on Oct 20, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would love for the extra "conclusive" evidence to be made public.
If your investigation is complete, and the facts are the facts, please be transparent. That would put this to rest, right? Right?
by PitPerc on Oct 20, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You really want it?
It’ll look something like this, “…and if you carefully watch this enhanced close-up of these frames, one can clearly see the flight of aforementioned spittle obviously sailing past the ball in question…”.
I’ll take their work for it.
And you can bet the next time Rivera get’s into a game, his will be the most watched spittle of all time. Thank goodness for HD broadcasts.
by sothball on Oct 20, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that they even investigated it
is more than could have been expected considering the circumstance and the minimal evidence. But at least the door is open to the idea that he is overrated. Now maybe people will see the light.
Captain, there are doubt's...
by Match Day 5 on Oct 20, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
overrated?
Postseason: 8-1, 0.72 ERA, 36 SV, 0.72 WHIP
tell me you’re joking.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Oct 20, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he pitches in the most one-sided situation in every game.
Sure, he’s good at what he does but it’s always the most specific scenario you could come up with.
Captain, there are doubt's...
by Match Day 5 on Oct 20, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What if this was John Lackey or Kevin Jepsen?
They would probably be suspended from play until further investigation was complete.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
true
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Classic
I have found all the message threads on the “Great Loogy Conspiracy” to be hilarious.
If the HH family is trying to get inside the head of Rivera, have some fun and go for it. Get the chants ready for the next two games and be loud. As for the others who are getting a little too passionate about this, I recommend catching up on your sleep and finding a more worthwhile outlet for this pent up energy.
by mustard_man on Oct 20, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The only way to shut up the trolls
Is to beat them. Step one was winning yesterday. Step two is evening the series at 2-2. Blowing smoke about an alleged spitball is not on the list. Yes, we know this would be a bigger deal in the press if an Angels pitcher were accused of doing it to the almighty Yankee cashcow. But if the Angels don’t win, none of it matters anyways.
by Suboptimal on Oct 20, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Angel pitchers have been tossed for less, but at this point, I've said my piece
let’s just beat ’em.
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously guys, I saw the spit continue past the ball the 3rd time I watched it.
He didn’t spit on the ball, he probably has never spit on a ball, he doesn’t need to.
Now can we please go back to being adults here, the most important game of the season (and arguably a real “Must Win”) is in 3 1/2 hours or so, let’s go
Guest101, tell you what, we’ll police ourselves. Clearly there was enough concern about how “OBVIOUS” the spit’s direction was to cause reflection by the Commish.
Yankee fans have a long storied history of over exaggeration, go back to your toll cave.
by MidwayCityLivestock on Oct 20, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Right.
They have more photos up on Deadspin (not the article linked here) that show the spit past the ball.
It makes no difference though. I don’t want to give Yankee fans excuses when the Angels beat them.
I have nothing important to say.
by thrill000 on Oct 20, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ARRRRRRRRRRRRE YOU KIDDING ME
we fly flags in anaheim...
by LAHaloer on Oct 20, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, yes, of course they did.
I’ll say it again: No more spitting on the mound the rest of these playoffs, PERIOD. all other movements such as going to your mouth or blowing on your hand will be closely watched.
warn the teams beforehand, and any player (pitcher) doing so (spitting or otherwise found to be adding moisture or potentially any other substance to the ball) will be immediately ejected.
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
by the way, "Aura and mystique have returned"
for anyone who didn’t see the broadcast last night…. absolute absurdity:
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I saw this last night, read it and laughed a lot.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Aura and mystique"... sorry.
wouldn’t want to misquote his butt-licking or anything.
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But you know it is a FOX broadcast.
Whether it is a political entertainment show or a sports entertainment show, they only hire incompetents, wash-ups, and former criminals as commentators.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So sick of McCarver and Buck blowing the Yanks.
it got really, really old in the 1st inning of game 1.
Just another Halo victory
by HalosFanInNorCal on Oct 20, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
moving on then........
time to win game 4!
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)
by norcaliangelsfan on Oct 20, 2009 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed.
Fan loyal and Fan strong.
I better be able to hear everyone screaming from my seat in the stadium. I want to hear this noise that no one can figure out where it is coming from because it’s outside the stadium. We will be loud inside those of you here tonight you be loud outside.
GO ANGELS!!!!
It’s time to tie this thing up.
by angelsfan777 on Oct 20, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
FAN STRONG!
Amen to all of that! Wear ALL RED AND BE LOUD!
we fly flags in anaheim...
by LAHaloer on Oct 20, 2009 2:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
SPITGATE
my flickr is on fire
lol
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
they sure moved with lightning speed
a first, for sure
by ladybug on Oct 20, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
pti just debated the spit video
wilbon said he is not surprised if Mo did spit on the ball
by figgifig on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
it made it there?
ahahaa
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
do u have direct tv?
u can watch it again in 30 mins…on channel 209 ESN rebroadcast
by figgifig on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
WOW that shit went viral quick....
Love me the internet. Regardless if he got exonerated…the umps will no doubt be watching his ass closely.
Do it for Nick '09
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Oct 20, 2009 2:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I love how I was on NY Daily News reading about the Yucks just for yucks...
and the very next page I loaded (this was like 12 noon or 1pm our time), there’s this link in the upper left about the spitball controversy.
and after clicking it, at the bottom of that page, it had a link back here to Rev’s original post. talk about fast, never seen really seen MSM or MLB or any other league pick up on any sports story from a blog like this so quickly.
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It has been fun all day just following all the links around the country in major papers
and notable blogs. This story has spread like the balloon boy hoaxwildfire all over the country. There is nobody that follows this series that does’nt know about Halos Heaven now. I can’t wait to hear what Joe Buck and company has to say about it during the game. Hilarious.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OMG think they will ever shut up about it?
but hey…one mention of HH as the source and it’s Rev’s treat in Vegas
by ladybug on Oct 20, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, wouldnt it be funny if the Angels raked Mariano the next time he appears...
I bet the spitball question would suddenly arise again. I can see the NY POST headline right now:
“SPITLESS AND SUCKING!”
Do it for Nick '09
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Oct 20, 2009 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
BRANTA SPEAKS!
Can’t believe you’re validating Halos Heaven
They can’t even be satisfied with a loss. One video of spit near the ball (looks to miss the ball honestly) doesn’t prove anything unless there’s a history of doing it.
Follow me on twitter
by Branta on Oct 20, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The most flattering picture he has
is of him barefoot in a seedy motel looking at (possibly) a cheeseburger on his laptop?
Congrats for keeping it real..i guess. I’m off to follow him on twitter.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Oct 20, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could this be the video he is looking at?
by figgifig on Oct 20, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what exactly are they cheering about?
"it's mind-bottling."
by retrohalo on Oct 20, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does America really need twitter to follow a kid going nowhere?
If somebody out there really wants to keep tight on the travels of Branta from his bed, to his bathroom, to his kitchen, to his TV, and back, that somebody needs to dial 411 and ask for directions back to life.
You too can be a baseball media analyst! Just don't allow your need to be wrong in public to get in the way of your ignorance.
by Stirrups on Oct 20, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who?
just looked like your average fat video game nerd on his laptop in some crappy hotel room… I didn’t even know anyone would need to know this dude’s name for any particular reason, not even to talk crap about how much of a nobody he is.
amazing.
"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc
by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 20, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
“This is my first time hearing this. I didn’t even know that there was any indication that it’s been looked at (by the league). Never. There are certainly some guys that might be suspect, never Mariano with anything that I’ve heard or been a part of. And I’d be shocked if there was anything to that,” said Angels manager MIke Scioscia.
According to the Boston Globe.
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
by AlanFalcon on Oct 20, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike is 100% class
and says all the right things, no matter how boring it may be.
Ozzie Guillen on the other hand…
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Oct 20, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
let me finish your thought
Ozzie Guillen is a piece of shit
RIP Nick. We will miss you!
by KingF15h on Oct 20, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
had to correct you:
Ozzie Guillen is a HUGE piece of shit
by ladybug on Oct 20, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
paranoid angels fans?
as rev said above, forgive us for thinking that a guy staring at a baseball and spitting in that general direction was throwing a spit ball. our bad
on the other hand, i dont think he threw it, and we should get over it
From deadspin:
And finally, consider this: Unlikely as it is, the idea that Mariano Rivera, the Hammer of God himself, might throw some old-fashioned outlaw stuff to escape a tight spot is, to be frank, just about the coolest thing ever.
hmmm i wonder who wrote this article?
but seriously we need to get over it. he didnt throw the spitball, and this is giving us bad press
Nick Adenhart- Forever a true Angel in Heaven. RIP 1986-2009
by AnaheimHalos61 on Oct 20, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wilbon from ESPN's Pardon the Interruption
said he would not be surprised at all if Mariano Rivera was a cheater
by figgifig on Oct 20, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair
He basically said that baseball is a sport full of cheaters so anyone cheating would not be surprising.
by HungryHunter on Oct 20, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
unlike Wilbon's beloved NFL
no cheaters there Cough Patriots cough
RIP Nick. We will miss you!
by KingF15h on Oct 20, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on the video and still pics, I think it is perfectly legitimate to speculate about it.
Obviously everyone will draw their own conclusions. Good press or bad press, it has brought a shitload of national attention to Halos Heaven regardless. One usually gets the most attention from what is perceived to be “bad press” but it ends up being good press traffic wise.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yah man
its all in good fun. just a game. this is what fans do.
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now I think you are the "Balloon Boy" of baseball.
It was a hoax, “we did it for the show.” LOL
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll volunteer
for the role of abused spouse poster. Should I make some hang-up calls to Selig’s office?
Where’s TMZ?
by ladybug on Oct 20, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you do a good horror film scream?
I think that would be required for success in the role.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
by 44FAN on Oct 20, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
true...
overeacting a little on my part
Nick Adenhart- Forever a true Angel in Heaven. RIP 1986-2009
by AnaheimHalos61 on Oct 24, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spit ball
just mentioned on the playoff preview in canada lol
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
from oc
but moved to vancouver 2 years ago
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
their pregame show >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>anything else
very pro angel
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
also have the option of listening to obrien & sutcliffe
alternative feed
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 20, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
everything looks so canadian all of a sudden...
"it's mind-bottling."
by retrohalo on Oct 20, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bottom Line
If he was doing it before, he won’t be doing it going forward. The press is going to be watching his every movement like a hawk.
by HungryHunter on Oct 20, 2009 4:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate the Yankees as much as anybody
Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all-time. I hate him, but it’s true.
There is no reason for him to doctor a baseball. As baseball fans, can’t you just accept the fact that there are great players that gasp don’t play in Anaheim?
If he was doing this, somebody would have said something by now
RIP Nick. We will miss you!
by KingF15h on Oct 20, 2009 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If we can drag up something to get into the greatest closer of all time's mind...
THEN I’M ALL FOR IT!
However, he’s a tough competitor, so I don’t see it working out. Hopefully, he goes all Papelbon on us and gives up some big hits going forward.
Kudos to QGS for bringing this up. Good job, man. You are not crying because we won, you are simply presenting something you saw. Good for you. Anyone else who has problems with you posting it are just a bunch of idiots who are not willing to accept the fact that even the best cheat. Naive.
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Oct 20, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay, this from Angels Visiting Clubhouse Manager, Brian Harkins:
“Sabathia is known to carry copious amounts of a rancid brownish pine tar substance in the back of his gameday shorts.”
I’ve already contacted the NY Post and the MLB Commissioner’s Office. Let’s keep an eye out for this tonight — additionally, his upcoming Thursday and Saturday starts.
by Big Daddy OB GYN on Oct 20, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
that sure was quick.
if only mlb was this fast regarding every other aspect of baseball.
"it's mind-bottling."
by retrohalo on Oct 20, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Just remember guys, that major league baseball cleared Frankie when
similar accusations were made against him.
#34 Forever
Plugging the upside since 2006.
Never give up, never surrender!
by TheOptimist on Oct 20, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If by chance,
Anyone here still believes, despite evidence to the contrary, here’s some more detailed info about spitballs and Rivera: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1409
by metric on Oct 21, 2009 6:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i cant wait for Mo to get in the game and look at the cameras and hock the biggest loogy—
by hufcane on Oct 21, 2009 11:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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