IBC

Anyone else notice that huge black spot that looks like pine tar on Blantons hat that he goes to before every pitch?

yes

I noticed it as well, but no way he'd load up as often as that if he was doctoring the ball. Especially on something so easily checked. More likely the hat touch is a part of his 'routine' and it's dark from being touched every pitch for as long as he's had that particular hat.

Im gonna probably say thats not true, because I have a hat that I played baseball with my junior year in HS which was 2004 and its dirty for sure but its not that black, and considering its a W.S. hat which means he hasnt even used it and probably has has it less then a week it looks fishy.

It's just a theory, though I suspect you weren't touching a single spot every time you pitched. I just find it unlikely that he was loading the ball (I'm not Blanton fan by any means). 1. He was touching his cap far too often to be loading the ball, spitballers and the like didn't load the ball very often. 2. That would take a HUGE amount of chutzpah. EVERYONE in the baseball universe is watching this game, watching him pitch and you know the Rays had to be scrutinizing his every move. 3. His stuff didn't look all that good.

Either way, it's a new hat, and clearly had some sort of shit on the tip of it.

fair point...also great usage of the word "chutzpah" from a jew I commend it.

If Blanton were to pick up a spitball all it would do is bring his stuff up to league average, so I'm for it.

Its not a new hat he has been wearing the same one for months. He sweat profusely (duh) and wipes his forehead then wipes the sweat on that spot.

it cant be a new hat because it's got the WS patch unless he had the patch sewn on. which I don't even think that they're actual patches anymore.

Brewers wrote:fair point...also great usage of the word "chutzpah" from a jew I commend it.

What is the difference between chutzpah and hutzpah? Is chutzpah just the way the word that sounds like "hutzpah" is spelled?

Yeah, in 04 Steve Kline made them sew the patch on his hat because he refused to wear a new one

Yes brett

Charlie said he didnt change hats either. the patches on the uniforms arent sewn on they are sticky, so maybe thats how they are put on the hats?

I'm sure it's an old hat, MLB must have contingencies built in for player superstitions.