As the announcer said, "just when you thought you’ve seen it all . . . "
I wonder if the ball will end up in the HOF. It should be there.
Has that ever happened before? I assume the saying came from somewhere…
I tried to google that but every link googled refers to the event I originally posted. Guess I’ll have to look it up in a book. :eek:
Two I just googled:
Chipper Jones did it in 2011.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/02/01/chipper-literally-knocks-cover-off-ball-vows-opening-day-return
Johnny Bench did it in the 1975 World Series (!).
Jose Abreu broke a few stitches off a ball (a foul ball) earlier this season. It’s mentioned in the comments of this story about Maldonado.
Perhaps either the quality control at the Rawlings factory in Costa Rica needs some help or they have intentionally loosened the stitching for this year’s run of official MLB balls. Looser stitching would provide an advantage to the pitchers so the latter seems unlikely.
Maldonado also sucker punched a guy in a brawl on Sunday. Quite a series for a backup catcher!
If more balls have their covers ripped as the season progresses, there will be suspicions.
Blake, the much despis-ed, did it in 1888.
A fake!