Is Saliva the Secret to Rivera's Cutter?

During Tuesday's FOX broadcast of Game 3 of the ALCS, Tim McCarver referred to Andy Pettite as the "Dean of the Cutter." It was a title I found somewhat ridiculous considering that Pettite doesn't even have the best cutter on his team. No, that would belong to closer Mariano Rivera.

Rivera has booked himself a ticket to Cooperstown using his cutter to help him save 562 game in both the regular and postseason during his career, and many have wondered what his secret to throwing the pitch is. Well, there's some video from Monday's television broadcast that may have just solved that mystery.

Did Mariano Rivera spit on the ball?

He held it in his throwing hand, looked around for a second, and then spit into the direction of the ball. Was he spitting on the ball, or was he just spitting because baseball players can't go more than 10 seconds without spitting at some point? I'm just presenting the evidence to you here.

I'll let you be the judge, though according to MLB there's no evidence that Rivera spit on the ball. You know, except for that video you just watched.

If he did spit on the ball, it looks as though we're finding out all the Yankees secrets these days. I mean, we already found out where Alex Rodriguez has found all his postseason magic.

(A quick grab of ShysterBall's rear end for the video)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-20-2009 @ 2:05PM

micasasalsa said...

He's obviously spitting on the ball. Somebody in MLB needs to looks at this!

10-20-2009 @ 3:11PM

Lakergregg said...

How about fat ass Sabathia sweating like it was 100 degrees the other night in New York when it was only 40 degrees and then wiping his fat sweaty forehead between every pitch and not always wiping his hand off afterwards.
I'm just sayin'.

10-20-2009 @ 3:37PM

Ben Turk Tolub said...

MLB reviewed the full tape and he did NOT spit on the ball - he spit next to it. He's always been a big spitter.

10-20-2009 @ 3:39PM

bobdevo said...

"MLB: No evidence Rivera threw spitter."

Well, no evidence other than the lying eyes of 30 million viewers AND the videotape.

10-20-2009 @ 3:51PM

cactusjack1984 said...

shut up you idiots. as if the most dominant pitcher in baseball has been spitting on the baseball for the last 15 years and no one has seen it until now. get a life!

10-20-2009 @ 4:58PM

borkaliad said...

The greatest cheater/closer in history! Taking a look around before spitting, seeing no umps looking at him, and then droping a loogie in between the seams!CHEATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-20-2009 @ 4:07PM

sillydan said...

Well, there you have it. Cheater.

10-20-2009 @ 4:10PM

alazofsky said...

So let me get this straight. He comes into the game, spits on a ball in front of 50,000 people, 6 umpires, the Angels dugout, and then repeats it every time he is given a new ball during his one inning of work, which was about a dozen times. Can't we use our energy for something a little more plausible, like finding the shooter on the grassy knoll?

10-20-2009 @ 4:16PM

Jerry Applebaum said...

I doubt that real spit is effective in throwing a spitball...probably about as effective as water which is why spitball pitchers used vasoline or some other slick substance.

10-20-2009 @ 4:46PM

Darth said...

he's been throwing spitballs for over 12 years? and he's never been nailed until now. ummm.....

10-20-2009 @ 4:57PM

qwertysumo said...

50,000 fans watching and millions more on live TV. Rivera has been in the business for nearly 2 decades now. If you think this guy possibly got by his whole career spitting on baseballs with the world watching then you're an idiot.

10-20-2009 @ 5:00PM

corey said...

WOW.... OMG. Mo spit. BREAKING NEWS... MO SPIT. This is not Kenny Rogers with pine tar on his finger, this is spit that may or may not hit the ball, we can't see cos the video cuts to the Angels bench. I'm sure that even if he spit it didn't do much because I've seen the pitch trax on the 9 cutters he through last night. But whatever makes Red Sox and Angels fans feel better. Maybe Papelbon and Fuentes should start spitting on things.

10-20-2009 @ 5:05PM

Stephen said...

Dumbest thing ive ever seen-nice post peter pan

10-20-2009 @ 5:24PM

steve said...

Mo spit on the ball.... sure.... whatever...

Yanks in Freakin 6....

Get ready Philly

10-20-2009 @ 5:28PM

evbru8 said...

Ummm Nice try but not so much... Go to Deadspin and watch the frame by frame. Nice try.. EPIC FAIL.

10-20-2009 @ 6:18PM

Larry said...

Twits using foreign substances on the ball was banned because of the CONTROL PROBLEMS it creates, not any unfairness to batters. It was done in the wake of the fatal beaning of Ray Chapman. Those pitchers who specialized in spitters were allowed to continue throw the spitter. As hard as Mariano throws, he hits the corners not batters, to say he cheats and throws a spitter is absurd.

As for Sabathia sweating in 40 degree weather, that's NORMAL. First, he's big and heavy set, so he has less surface area per his mass. Even when you're freezing to death you continue to sweat. Try splitting some wood in 20 degree weather and see if you don't sweat. Pitching is vigorous work.

Don't see any rush to erase Don Drysdale's shut out innings record because he vasolined his hair and the ball! Drysdale used to drill batters rather than issue an intentional pass.

10-20-2009 @ 6:32PM

No, spit or water works quite well, but you cannot have your fingers on a seam. The ball thus sticks to the thumb as it slips by the index and middle fingers giving it a top spin causing it to sink greatly. Spitters are best thrown down the middle where they look like a fastball coming in until the bottom drops out. Gaylord Perry admitted he used to wet his sleeve for his source.

10-20-2009 @ 8:10PM

jeff d. said...

i cant possibly think of anything worse that could happen in baseball then to have the yankess & the phillies in the world series.....i guess its time to start watching hockey.....go angels!!!!!!