Reports: Angels fire visiting clubhouse manager for helping opponents illegally doctor baseballs
The Los Angeles Angels have fired their visiting clubhouse manager after an internal investigation confirmed allegations that he was providing ball-doctoring substances to opposing pitchers, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. The firing was initially reported by the Los Angeles Times' Maria Torres.
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The Angels were reportedly tipped off by Major League Baseball that Brian “Bubba” Harkins allegedly had been providing the sticky substances to improve opponents’ grip on the baseball.
The substance reportedly was a melted-down pine-tar solution and rosin, per ESPN.
Harkins reportedly had been employed by the Angels for more than 30 years, hired in 1981 as a bat boy and returning to the team as clubhouse manager in 1986. Angels president John Carpino confirmed to the Times that Harkins had been fired, but did not divulge the reason.
The Angels reportedly believe that Harkins acted alone in illegally aiding opponents and have not fired other clubhouse attendants.
MLB not playing around with illegal substances
The fact that MLB tipped off the Angels is likely the first step in the league’s reported initiative to crack down on pitchers using illegal sticky substances to improve their grip on the ball. The practice has been in use for decades — pretty much since the game’s inception — as a way for pitchers to increase the spin of the ball for more velocity and movement.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer, an outspoken voice about the practice, claimed recently that 70 percent of MLB pitchers today use some sort of substance, calling it “a bigger advantage than steroids.” He has accused the Houston Astros, in particular, in the past, which the team denied.
Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci reported on Monday that MLB put the league’s pitching and coaching staffs on notice with threats of suspensions and firings. While the Angels reportedly fired Harkins on their own, he might be only the first to get the axe this year.
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