This is Certainly Interesting

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 6, 2008 2:17 PM EDT

Courtesy of Deadspin comes this peculiar picture of Jake Peavy during yesterday's game, notice his throwing hand.

Obviously there's SOMETHING on his fingers, the questions are what is it? Dirt? Pine tar? Grease from his car? Does he use it often? Does it help him with movement? Peavy is one of the better pitchers in the game so this is a bit disappointing if he's been doctoring balls -- although not completely unexpected. Players will naturally try to and gain an advantage through unnatural ways by using whatever means they can come across.

I always refer to Derek Zumsteg's Cheater's Guide to Baseball book and blog in these situations. Zumsteg's book is a must buy, and on the book's blog he's covered and broken a ton of "cheating" in the big leagues. Remember the Francisco Rodriguez and Manny Corpas scandals? Those were Zumsteg's findings.

As Dex over at Gaslamp Ball brings up, Peavy is a chewer, so it's possible that's just residue from his nasty habit. Dex also points out how impressive it would be if Peavy were spitballing and didn't get caught. The second base umpire would've had to see that, right? Or a hitter, runner, coach, someone had to see his hand.

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Comments

It's gotta be chew

When he moves his hand up to his mouth and licks his finger or blows on it (not that it's especially cold), i bet he's getting some of the chew residue on there.

That or pine tar. Jake loves to fancy himself a hitter.

by Dex on Apr 6, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

It wouldn't surprise me if he claims it was chew one way or the other, obviously he wouldn't admit to it being anything else. This is the first time Peavy's been suspected of anything so I think you have to give him the benefit for now.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 6, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Not the first time that Peavy has been suspected...

...I've suspected him of defying the law of physics for not throwing his shoulder out of socket during his jerky delivery. ;)

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by Stephen Webb on Apr 7, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

I don't beleive anythings been done

It's just natural to suspect one of the best pitchers in baseball to cheat. More than likely, it is just residue from his chew. Although I'm too young to chew, I pitch. I often find myself licking my fingers. More than likely it's chew

by GeorgiaBallplayer6 on Apr 10, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions