Mets’ Max Scherzer says he only had sweat and rosin on his hands: ‘I swear on my kids’ lives’
New York Mets star Max Scherzer explained his side of the story after being ejected from Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a sticky substance on his hand.
Scherzer was given a substance test between innings. The umpires took a close look at the three-time Cy Young Award winner’s fingers. After an animated discussion, the umpires decided to toss Scherzer and take his gloves.
The right-handed pitcher addressed the incident with reporters after the game.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 19: Mets starter Max Scherzer (21) reacts after being thrown out in the fourth inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Getty Images via Luis Cinco/Los Angeles Times)
“After the second inning, my hand was a little bit numb from the rose. So it was awkward. Phil (Cuzzy) told me to wash it. So, I washed it. Came back after the third. I Washed it off with alcohol and when I went back in there, there might be a little bit of alcohol stuck to the rose. It can happen. So it’s so sticky that you need to go back in there and wash it off again and reapply. Rose.
“And so I did that and at the same time he thought I had too much rose on my glove. And I was like, ‘Well, if that’s a problem, nothing’s going on.’ He’s like you need a new glove. OK, so I came back, pitched third and knew I was going to check in the fourth, so whatever when I’m coming up. I have to be an idiot to try to get back out there in the fourth.
“After that third inning, I’m in front of the MLB official who’s down here. I wash my hands with alcohol in front of the official. I then apply rosin and then sweat. When I go back there and Phil . Cuzzy says my hand is so sticky. Yes, when you use sweat and rose, your hand is sticky. But I don’t understand why I do that when I’m in front of an MLB official. You want and I’m being perceived as having a very sticky hand when I’m using a legal substance. I just don’t get it.”
Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets reacts after an ejection by umpire Phil Cuzzy #10 during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Caitlin Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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When asked about the conversation between him and Cuzzy, Scherzer said the umpire told him his hand was too sticky.
“I swear on my children’s lives, I’m not using anything else. It’s sweat and rosin. Sweat and rosin,” Scherzer added.
According to MLB.com, umpire Dan Bellino addressed the situation to a pool reporter.
Scherzer’s hand was “so sticky that when we touched his hand, our fingers were stuck to his hand. And whatever was there stayed on our fingers for a couple of innings afterward,” he said.
New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) and manager Buck Showalter call umpire Phil Cuzzy, center, and umpire Dan Bellino, right, when they found a problem with Scherzer’s glove during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles. There was a dispute. , Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
It is unclear at this time if Scherzer will be punished for the incident.
Scherzer was the subject of a substance abuse investigation in 2021 while he was with the Washington Nationals. He underwent several tests in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Scherzer played for the Dodgers in 2021.
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