3. Cuban Acknowledges Tanking
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2018 is the year of fine. Total Fine: $600,000*
Losing is never easy for sportsmen on the professional circuit. But there is a benefit to failing. In the majority of professional leagues, a team that places at the bottom of the standings has a better chance of obtaining a higher draft pick. This has motivated numerous club owners to demand that their teams intentionally lose games.
Cuban Acknowledges Tanking Aaron ©W. Henderson via Getty Pictures
Over the years, several teams have "tanked," but none have been as open about it as Mark Cuban. The NBA imposed the penalties because they felt that this compromised the integrity of the game. Although Cuban has since acknowledged his sentence, he has maintained that he did nothing improper and was only attempting to do what was best for his club.
4. The Sticky Catch by Max Scherzer
In April 2023, the baseball world was rocked by a significant controversy involving one of its star pitchers, Max Scherzer of the New York Mets. Scherzer, a seasoned veteran known for his intense competitiveness and exceptional pitching skills, found himself at the center of a scandal when he was accused of using a sticky substance on his hands during a game. The incident led to a 10-game suspension and a hefty fine, drawing widespread attention and debate within the sports community.
The use of sticky substances by pitchers has long been a contentious issue in Major League Baseball (MLB). These substances can give pitchers an unfair advantage by improving their grip on the ball, thereby enhancing their control and spin rates. MLB has stringent rules prohibiting the use of any foreign substances, and umpires are tasked with conducting random checks to ensure compliance. Despite these measures, incidents of pitchers being caught with suspicious substances continue to surface.
Max Scherzer's case was particularly notable due to his high profile and the circumstances surrounding the incident. During a game in April 2023, umpires noticed an unusual stickiness on Scherzer's hands and ordered him to clean them. After complying with the directive and using alcohol for hand washing as instructed, Scherzer returned to the mound, only to be ejected shortly after for the same issue. The umpires determined that the sticky substance was still present, leading to his immediate suspension and a $10,000 fine.
Scherzer vehemently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the stickiness was a result of a combination of sweat, rosin, and the alcohol used for cleaning his hands. He expressed his frustration and confusion over the ejection, stating, "I don't understand how I get ejected when I'm in front of the MLB officials, doing exactly what you want." His strong stance and the seemingly harsh penalty sparked a heated debate among fans, analysts, and fellow players.
Initially, Scherzer intended to appeal the suspension and the fine, asserting his innocence and challenging the fairness of the punishment. However, he later decided against filing an appeal. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, MLB reduced his fine from $10,000 to $5,000, though the suspension remained in place. This decision did little to quell the controversy, as opinions remained divided on whether the punishment was justified or overly severe.
The incident underscored the ongoing challenges MLB faces in regulating the use of foreign substances and maintaining the integrity of the game. It also highlighted the fine line pitchers must walk in adhering to the rules while trying to maintain their performance. For Max Scherzer, the episode was a blemish on an otherwise stellar career, but it also showcased his resilience and determination to stand by his principles. As of this writing, Scherzer continues to assert his innocence, and the debate over the use of sticky substances in baseball rages on.
