NEWSLETTER
Wherever you place Gerrit Cole in the pantheon of pitchers most associated with sticky stuff, we will never forget his incredible response when asked, point blank, if he used Spider Tack. Deer in the headlights does not do it justice, and it was pretty darn clear what the answer was. And, since Cole is the bearer of the sport’s richest contract for a pitcher, predicated on his explosive time in Houston, he will always be connected to the topic in the minds of many folks. It’s just an obvious thing at this point.
… but don’t expect him to have a sense of humor about it.
Get this incredible anecdote from Bob Klapisch at NJ.com:
“According to a source, for example, Cole and Brett Gardner argued after MLB prohibited the use of Spider Tack in June. Although Cole never admitted to using the sticky stuff, it’s generally accepted he was heavily reliant on it. The increase in spin rate is one reason why Cole turned into a strikeout machine with the Astros. It’s why the Yankees gave him a $324 million contract.
Losing Spider Tack was obviously a setback to Cole and other pitchers who considered it indispensable. (Hint: that means most every hard thrower in the game). To soften the blow and lighten the moment, Gardner paraded around the clubhouse with pine tar on his hat. He was trying to get a laugh out of Cole. Apparently it had just the opposite effect.
According to the source, Cole, in full view of his teammates, got in Gardner’s face and told him to knock it off. Mind you, Gardner was the Yankees’ senior-ranking member and the last remaining connection to the 2009 championship club. If anyone knows about winning – and the clubhouse chemistry that goes with it – it’s Gardner.
Cole didn’t see it that way, pushing back in a way that must’ve shocked the veteran outfielder. It took a full day for Cole to calm down; he ended up apologizing to Gardner.”
Cole, 31, was really quite good with the Yankees this past year (3.23 ERA, 2.92 FIP), despite the added enforcement on sticky stuff, though his performance was much worse from June on (4.15 ERA, 3.66 FIP). I don’t think there’s much question that he was impacted, though half the league was impacted. Still, you can figure why he might not be in the mood to joke around about the situation.
Me, though? I find the whole thing hilarious, especially the image of Gardner joking around with pine tar and Cole getting legitimately pissed off about it.
