Astros Pitcher Suspended 10 Games After Using 'Stickiest Glove Ever' According To Ump
Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco fell to the dreaded ‘glove check’ Tuesday night and was booted from the game for an illegal sticky substance found on his glove.
The ‘cheating Astros’ jokes poured in, but the story was a real bummer for Blanco — the unlikely Houston ace that tallied the season's first no-hitter this year.
Even as the fifth guy in the Astros rotation, Blanco overcame tremendous odds to make baseball history. Fast-forward one month, and Blanco gets slapped with a 10-game suspension, announced by MLB on Wednesday.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 14: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros reacts after pitching in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Despite pitching through four innings against the Oakland A's, Blanco was suspected of using an illegal substance to enhance his grip on pitches. First base umpire Erich Bacchus grilled Blanco for his sticky glove after the game.
"It was the stickiest stuff I've felt on a glove since we've been doing this for a few years now," the ump shared.
READ: MLB Cracking Down on Sticky Substances For 2023 Season
Pitchers are permitted to use the rosin bag on the mound to improve grip on the ball, but the league has grown increasingly suspicious in recent years.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 14: Ronel Blanco #56 is walked off the field by Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros after being ejected in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Blanco's trajectory to the big leagues made him an unexpected sensation, debuting in the league at 28 years of age and accomplishing the feat in just his eighth pro start. He threw 105 pitches in nine innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, fanning seven batters, walking two and holding the Blue Jays to a goose egg on hits.
After rules were implemented to have umps check a pitcher's glove, the ejections and suspensions began trickling in.
"Nothing arbitrary about the enforcement," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred previously stated on the new glove checks.
"The umpires all receive uniform training on what the use of rosin on the mound in the way that is allowed under the rules, what that feels like and what it feels like when you’re doing something illegal, either combining it with rubbing alcohol or sunscreen or some other sticky substance."
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