MLB fans fuming after New York Yankees' Clarke Schmidt receives mild reprimand from the umpires: "Different set of rules if you play in the Bronx"
MLB umpires have been clamping down on use of illegal substances with New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt the latest to be summoned.
The incident took place during the fifth inning of the Yankees series opener versus the Cincinnati Reds. Schmidt was inspected by the umpire crew who noticed something on his glove. The righty was asked to wash his hands after the inspection, but was permitted to return to the game.
What the hell is going on with the Yankees? twitter.com/codifybaseball…
Schmidt later stated that he had "nothing to hide" and that the buildup on his glove was a combination of rosin and sweat that had developed over the game.
MLB fans took to Twitter extremely frustrated with the umpires. Many fans were disappointed that Schmidt was only given a mild reprimand and allowed to remain in the game.
@michaelschwab13 They’re in last place in the AL East. Desperate times call for desperate measures
@michaelschwab13 Different set of rules if you play in the Bronx
@iJordanMoore @CodifyBaseball And they call the Astros cheaters. Hypocrites.
@michaelschwab13 Just another day at the office for them
@CodifyBaseball He should have been ejected!!
@CodifyBaseball And they throw out the reds manger for it
@michaelschwab13 It's been well established that they get special treatment.
@CodifyBaseball What are the Yankees doing lol
@michaelschwab13 If this were the Astros could you imagine the national media
Reds manager David Bell came out to protest the umpire's ruling to let Schmidt continue. The 50-year-old visibly upset with the call. He made his feelings clear to crew chief Brian O'Nora and was ejected soon after.
Bell refrained from addressing the incident after the game.
"I think it was probably obvious what happened and I'm just gonna leave it at that," said Bell
New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German was recently suspended for violating MLB's foreign substance policy
The incident has definitely created some suspicion amongst the baseball community.
The Yankees' Domingo German was recently suspended 10 games for violating the prohibitions on foreign substances. German was also warned by umpires during a similar situation on April 15 against the Minnesota Twins. The Dominican was allowed to remain in the game on that occasion.
This would have been the second time in less than a week that a New York Yankees pitcher is ejected for an illegal substance.
Schmidt completed the fifth inning without giving up a run. He was credited with the win on the night after giving up just two earned runs, five hits and striking out six opposing hitters over five innings. He currently has a 2-4 record on the season and a 6.00 ERA.
The New York Yankees went on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 on the night to improve to 27-20 on the season.