Baseball player Pete Alonso, a soft-spoken yet intense and unsuccessful outfielder for the New York Mets, has made headlines this month for an increasingly bizarre and outlandish conspiracy theory. The former minor league prospect has made a series of outlandish claims on Twitter: that the Astros had two black catchers in 2017, that Adam Dunn had a black catcher in 2006, and that the Yankees had a black catcher in 1946.
This text is sensitive. Try generating new copy.
Lately, MLB players and fans have been constantly talking about the possibility of pitchers using foreign substances to increase their spin rate. What launchers do they use? Is it really cheating if this is what they have always done? Are these substances really so useful? However, not all players seem as concerned as others, including the star of the New York Mets, who has his own conspiracy theory: Pete Alonso.MLB introduces restrictions on the use of foreign substances
. Of all the major sports, baseball seems to have the most problems with players doing anything to gain an advantage. From the use of PEDs to the theft of signs to the possible use of foreign substances on the field, the players never seem to be satisfied with a natural game. The latter has become a hot topic lately, as reports surfaced last week that the MLB is considering instructing its umpires to follow a rule banning the use of foreign substances, ESPN reported. This rule has been around for years, but few umpires actively enforce it, and not all pitchers abide by it. These substances are supposed to help pitchers improve their turnover rates, and as CBS Sports notes, many pitchers’ turnover rates have plummeted since news of the league’s possible restrictions was made public. This is all happening in a season where MLB hitters are on their way to the highest batting average in league history and the highest number of strikeouts in history. However, Alonso does not believe that foreign substances are the problem.
Mets player Pete Alonso has his own conspiracy theory
Pete Alonso of the New York Mets runs to first base after hitting a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the 6th. June 2021. | Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images Alonso, the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, recently said he doesn’t support the MLB’s decision to crack down on foreign substances. Actually, he has a problem with something else. The biggest concern is that MLB manipulates baseball year after year based on the class of free agents or players who are in advanced arbitration, Alonso told ESPN. The reporter then asked the Mets’ star player if his colleagues in the league think MLB is intentionally manipulating its baseballs to lure potential free agents. And he replied: Oh, no, that’s a fact. There was a huge free agent pitching class in 2019, then quote-unquote juice balls, and then 2020 was a weird year with a COVID season, Alonso added, per ESPN. But now that we’re playing the regular season again, with a lot of shortstops or position players who are going to make a lot of money as high-level players – I mean, yeah, it’s not a coincidence. That’s certainly what they do. This theory seems rather bold and perhaps even strange. But maybe he understands something.
Would Pete Alonso’s conspiracy theory be correct?
So Alonso basically believes that MLB is changing baseballs to prevent some future free agents from making as much money as they normally would. While there is not enough evidence to confirm this, he may be right about one thing. According to ESPN, 3.6 percent of outings in 2019 ended in a home run. The hitters also set an MLB league record for most home runs in a season. Some of the free agents this season? Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Madison Bumgarner and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Prior to this season, the MLB informed its teams that it planned to soften the balls a bit for the 2021 season. The average number of home runs per ground attack has since dropped to 3.1% and, as mentioned above, hitters are at a historically low league average. Some of this year’s free agents? They are 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager, two-time silver medalist Trevor Story, Carlos Correa and 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman. Is that enough evidence to say that the MLB is taking millions from some of its stars? No, but the home run and batting averages compared to upcoming free agents are definitely something to consider. Since baseball’s popularity seems to have declined over the years and football has become America’s king, with basketball not far behind, maybe the league should just strive to make the game more attractive. The more hits and home runs, the more interesting the game is to watch. If Alonso’s conspiracy theory is correct, the league doesn’t seem to have its priorities in order. Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19 . COMPARED TO: Cincinnati Police Department overtakes St. Louis Cardinals after embarrassing loss to Reds in 4-game series
