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Was Sonny Gray Pulled From Playoff Start For Cheating? Suspicious Activity Fuels Online Narrative

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iStockphoto / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Sonny Gray has been accused of using a banned sticky substance in the MLB playoffs.


Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray was pulled in the fifth inning of a playoff game vs. the New York Yankees. Some believe that decision was unrelated to performance.

Instead, Gray has been accused of cheating with the use of a sticky substance banned by the MLB. A narrative has been formed on social media. Video of the pitcher’s activity on the mound is fueling the debate.

Gray was effective in a 9-2 loss. He allowed two runs across 4.2 innings with five strikeouts. The Red Sox trailed 1-0 at the time of his benching.

Gray believes the trigger was too quick. He wanted an opportunity to go through the lineup once more. It was taken from him by the coaching staff.

“I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order for a third time,” he said after the loss, which ended Boston’s season.

“I would’ve liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that’s the competitor I am… I felt strong, I felt confident, and I felt convicted. But what can you do?”

Gray’s response suggests that he was pulled for performance. He’d allowed a home run to Luis Garcia Jr. in the fourth frame. The Yankees got runners on first and third in the fifth, leading Boston to make the change.

Performance may not be the lone reason for his exit.

Was Sonny Gray cheating?

Video from the game has created an online narrative. Viewers believe there was an ulterior motive for the Red Sox’s decision.

Gray was spotted on numerous occasions touching his neck before pitches. The broadcast appeared to show a sticky substance below the pitcher’s right ear.

He was seen reaching for the area between deliveries and immediately after requesting fresh baseballs.

Boomer Esiason of WFAN Sports Radio questioned why umpires didn’t notice the alleged substance.

“If we all can see that… What are the umpires doing?” he asked. “Why not check his neck? I know they check the hands and I know they check the glove. Why wouldn’t you check the neck? We’re all watching it.”

The MLB rulebook is clear on the “sticky stuff.” It is entirely off-limits. Rule changes were made in 2021.

Following guidance from the Commissioner’s Office that was put into effect June 21, Rules 3.01 and 6.02(c) and (d) will be enforced by umpires, and pitchers caught with foreign substances will face suspension. Clubs will not be able to fill the roster spot while a player is under suspension…

Rule 3.01 states: “No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sand-paper, emery-paper or other foreign substance…”

Rule 6.02 expands on 3.01 by stating, among other things, that a pitcher may not “apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;” “deface the ball in any manner;” “throw a shine ball, spit ball, mud ball, or emery ball;” “have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance;” or “attach anything to his hand, any finger or either wrist (e.g., Band-Aid, tape, Super Glue, bracelet, etc.).”

Why was the pitcher pulled?

Baseball personality Jomboy believes the substance had a direct impact on Sonny Gray’s departure. He was making it too obvious to ignore.

“It’s just very obvious, and it’s not supposed to be happening anymore,” he said. “Maybe that’s why he got pulled out of this game early. Maybe it wasn’t because his manager didn’t trust him and didn’t have any feel for the game. It was like, ‘Oooh, I don’t want you to get in trouble and have this whole reputation.'”

The MLB broadcast appeared to notice the substance on Gray’s neck. It zoomed in on the pitcher multiple times as he reached below his jawline.

For whatever reason, umpires didn’t catch it. Some think manager Chad Tracy was aware and took his ace out to prevent backlash or a potential suspension.

No comment has been made on the allegations. Tracy explained his reasoning for pulling the pitcher after the game. He said that he wanted to be “aggressive” and create tough matchups for New York hitters. That clearly backfired with the Yankees scoring eight runs after Gray’s exit.

It will be interesting to see if the MLB takes a harder look at Gray’s suspicious activity. Rule breakers can be suspended, but with the game and season now over, the pitcher might be in the clear.