In mid-June, major league pitchers were forced to conform to the league’s newfound interest in enforcing the use of grip substances — of any type — on the mound.
Forget about Spider Tack. Even the time-tested, barely edge-producing concoction of sunscreen and rosin was outlawed, and guys had to adjust accordingly.
A level playing field is all well and good, naturally. But, as we saw earlier this summer, such a dramatic turning of the tables — in the middle of the season, no less — had its designed ripple effects.
Offense up, strikeouts down. You know, the usual.