How's that for a headline? If you didn't see what happened during the Cubs-Cardinals game yesterday, you probably assumed this post had to do with a bad tattoo. But no, we are talking about Mr. Molina's chest protector. Watch the play below if you missed it.
That dropped third strike shifted the entire game; the next batter, Jon Jay, walked before Kyle Schwarber crushed the first pitch he saw 404 feet to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead and eventually a 6-4 win. But, that's not what this post is about. I want to know what Yadi is hiding.
If you watched the video, it's pretty obvious that Molina has pine tar (or some other substance like that) on his chest. It simply would defy physics if there wasn't something there. And it's apparently very common—and legal—for catchers to put pine tar on their gear. MLB rules prohibit putting pine tar on your skin or using it on the baseball itself. After the game, Schwarber admitted he uses it when he catches.
"Catchers like to put pine tar on their shin guards and throw balls to second base and get a good feeling. Maybe it rubbed off some and it stuck. You never know... I put pine tar on my shin guards. It happens."
I love you Kyle, but no it doesn't happen. That's why we're talking about it. What confuses me is why Molina won't admit to it. He is allowed to wear it. When talking with reporters after the game, however, he refused.
Yes, what a dumb question. Seriously, what are they supposed to ask you? My guess is Molina didn't know that he's allowed to have it. But there's no point in lying.
By the way, baseball is great. If you follow the game long enough, you're bound to see something that has never happened before. Just two nights before, Stephen Piscotty got hit three times in the same inning.