Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench told CNBC that headlines about pitchers using pine tar or other sticky substances on baseballs should come as no surprise to fans.
“Yeah, they use pine tar, of course they use pine tar, everyone’s been using pine tar since I was a rookie in 1967,” said the former Cincinnati Reds wide receiver.
“Don’t get upset, these are the things the pitcher needs to do,” Bench said. “A little pine tar never hurts, come on. Hold on. Take this plug, baby. ”
Bench added that the baseball seam has gotten smaller since his days as a pitcher – the use of a sticky substance on the ball gives the pitcher something to hold onto, he said.
MLB officials are considering a crackdown as Major League pitchers dominate more than ever. The league has seen six straight games this season, on track to breaking the record of eight, set in 1884.
Insiders say a problem could be what’s hidden on pitchers’ hands, like pine tar or a sticky glue called “Spider Tack.” Last week the league suspended four minor league pitchers for illegally using foreign substances on baseballs.
Bench, however, pointed out that he hit below par during an interview Thursday night on “The News with Shepard Smith.”
