April 9th, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka On Thursday afternoon, it was being widely reported – and refuted – on social media that Dodgers right-hander Trevor Bauer was being investigated by Major League Baseball for allegedly doctoring baseballs with a foreign substance.
The initial report came from The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) on Thursday, saying that the umpires from Bauer’s April 7 outing against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum had “collected multiple suspicious baseballs that had visible markings and were sticky;” a claim that the oft-controversial 30-year-old North Hollywood, CA native and first-round (third overall) draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 out of UCLA immediately refuted on Twitter:
Last month, MLB notified all 30 teams that they plan to crack down on pitchers doctoring baseballs with foreign substances to improve velocity and spin rate; however, this is the first known instance that they have actually done so.
As Dodger fans know, Bauer has been very effective through his first two starts, posting a 1-0 record. And although he has 4.15 ERA through those first two starts, he has 20 strikeouts while walking only three.
It’s no secret that Bauer has been quite critical of Major League Baseball and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on social media and on his popular Bauer Hour podcasts, leading many to believe (or at least suspect) that this is nothing more than a witch-hunt. In fact, MLB – and Manfred – will have a difficult time proving that it was actually Bauer who doctored the balls if they were, in fact, doctored. As such, it would be – or could be – difficult for MLB to impose disciplinary action against him.
Here again, the fact that Bauer is the first known subject of MLB’s plan to crack down on pitchers doctoring baseballs is suspicious in and of itself, if for no other reason than he has been outspoken regarding potential cheating. He accused Astros pitchers of using illegal substances in 2018 to increase their spin rate, calling the team “hypocrites” and “cheaters.”
Although Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, who signed the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner to a lofty three-year/$102 million free-agent contract this past February, has yet to comment on MLB’s allegations (or witch-hunt), you can bet he’s not too happy about it.
Stay tuned…
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Very suspicious that unnamed “major league sources” leaked this information to Ken Rosenthal knowing that he jumps at the chance to report supposition and innuendo. Bauer has been openly critical of Manfred and this “leak” smacks of vendetta and retaliation. Baseballs used by Bauer during a game are being tested, then the baseballs used by other pitchers should also be tested — Gerrit Cole for example. I detest cheaters, but Bauer not be held to any higher standard than others.
I think most players and fans feel Manfred is so wrong for this job but I’m sure the owners think he is so right for the job, so sad.
I would like to know the split of owners who are pro/con in regard to Manfred. My sense is that the teams in small to mid-size markets are pro Manfred while large market teams like Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, et al would prefer a commissioner who is much better at marketing the business. My guess, Manfred’s focus on rules tweaking and confrontational relationship with the union is not the ideal qualities wealthy teams want from a commissioner. If the truth were known, I would not be surprised if many owners believe he blundered with moving the All Star game out of Atlanta. Ditto with Manfred’s heavy handed negotiating with minor league baseball; the small to mid market teams applauded while wealthy teams saw value in a deeper minor league system for their development process.
Manfred Needs TO GO and Soon
He is now a problem for the League. He does not represent the long terms interests of MLB fans. Kneejerk reaction in Atlanta to move the Allstar game with a tribute to Hank Aaron and and opportunity to confront the problems of racism in the USA by showing how MLB is being integrated in many executive positions and will continue to move in that direction was a huge mistake.
Spot on assessment!