Mariano Rivera Spitball: Video Evidence?
Halos Heaven — Personally, the video ytou are about to watch is pretty amazing: I would say this is pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement. He has mastered the Angels so far in the ALCS but has Major League Baseball gotten a look at how he "warms up" for his appearance on the mound. You be the judge... With a tie game in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees bring in Rivera. After warming up, he has his back to home plate so the home plate ump can't ...

Rivera spit ball Yankees vs Angles ALCS 10-19-09 (video)
Full of Sports — ... With a tie game in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees bring in there closer Rivera. After warming up, he has his back to home plate so the home plate ump ... ...

Was Mariano Rivera throwing a spitball?
Circling The Bases — Watch the video here . Call me crazy, but it appears to me like Rivera looks up to see if anyone is watching, then looks down and spits right on the ball. Is that the secret to his cutter? Anyone have an alternate explanation as to what is going on? Holy smokes. I have to imagine we'll hear more about this as the day goes on. (thanks to Jason Epstein for the link)

Did Mariano Rivera throw a spitball?!
The Hardball Times — Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Did Mariano Rivera throw a spitball?! Check out the video here. I'll hear all evidence to the contrary, but that looks to me like he (a) looks up to see if anyone is watching; and (b) spits right on the damn ball. Is that the secret to the unhittable cutter? (thanks to Jason Epstein for the heads up) Posted by Craig Calcaterra at 8:45am Comments Tell the Shyster what you think:Previous Post: And That Happened: LCS Edition

Rivera's spitter?
It's About The Money - A New York Yankees Blog — Is Rivera getting a spitter ready, or is this video actually shown in reverse and Mo's sucking the soul out of the ball? Thanks to Jason Epstein for the link!

The Secret To Mariano Rivera's Dominance
Fack Youk — Are you ready for this, guys? Because it's pretty earth shattering. All these years, all those effortless strikeouts and escapes from impossibly high leverage situations... how did Mariano Rivera do it? Could he possibly have been that good? Then when the pressure rose, get even better? That tiny, tiny postseason ERA. The best playoff pitcher of all time. The best closer to ever live. The aura of impenetrability. The numbers to back it up. What was his secret? ...

Mariano Rivera Loads Up a Spitball
The Slanch Report — He is the greatest closer in post-season history but during last night’s game against the Angels it appeared that Mariano needed a little something extra. He turns his back from the plate, looks around to see if anyone is paying attention and then BLOOP, he SPITS on the ball. Now I’m not idiotic enough to think that this is the reason for his long ...

Did Mo Throw a Spitter?
My Pinstripes — WFAN is abuzz this morning about the possibility of Mariano Rivera throwing a spitball yesterday. Reportedly MLB is looking into it. Here's the video from youtube (as far as we know it has not been doctored, though the baseball may have been). ...

Did Mariano Rivera Throw A Spitball?
Not Qualified To Comment — I don’t know guys, you tell me.  If anyone thinks this isn’t a spitball, thats fine.  The bottom line is that he looks around to see if anyone is watching, then he spits on the ball.  See for yourselves: I don’t think it would tarnish his legacy or anything, but it would throw into doubt a lot of his success (for me at least). ...

A Splutter?
baseballmusings.com — It looks like Mariano Rivera does have more than one pitch. I assume the two looks before he spits are to see if the umps are watching. Then again, the Angels should be the last team to complain about this.

Paranoid Angels Fans Accuse Mariano Rivera Of Throwing Spitballs [Mlb]
Deadspin — Angels fans have lost their freaking minds over the video below, which allegedly catches Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in the act of spitting on a baseball, right there in front of God and Joe Buck and 45,000 fans. The Angels won last night, incidentally, though you wouldn't know it from the vast persecution complex on display among their fan base this morning. Watch the video. Rivera, having come on in the bottom of the 10th, finishes his warmup tosses and spits somewhere in the vicinity of his ball. Anaheim fans believe this is conclusive evidence that Mariano Rivera is a fraud and a cheat and a wretched human being all-around, one with ...

Mariano Rivera Breaks Out The Ol' Spitball
No Guts, No Glory — Gather round old school baseball fans. We just may have found the last pitcher left in the game that throws spitballs. Those of you that were alive in the 1920's remember the spitballs. They were nasty (so I've heard). Looks like Mariano Rivera has mastered the art of throwing spitballs. And to Angels' fans, that may explain a lot. Fan of No Guts, No Glory? Subscribe to our feed! or Follow us on Twitter! ...

Mariano Rivera and the....Spitball of Doom?
This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes — SERIOUSLY? I know thinks are whack in California, but SERIOUSLY? The Greatest Closer of All Time, and not-quite-mortal, and you think the Panamanian is throwing a spitball? Sheesh, dude, if you forgot, you won the game yesterday. Yeah, I know, you won in spite of Rivera's 1st-and-3rd, no out heroics, but, dude... I mean, this is Mariano freakin' Rivera. He could probably beat you throwing one handed. He don't need no spitball. More later. ...

Yep Mariano Throws a Spitter, or Not
SimonOnSports — Time to FJM a jackass Angel Fan... Personally, the video you are about to watch is pretty amazing: I would say this is pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement. Mariano doesn't just throw one pitch. He throws a cutter, a two-seem fastball and a 4-seem fastball. That is by my count three pitches. None of the pitches has unpredictable movement. The cutter breaks in to a lefty. Sometimes he throws it with more downward bite and sometimes he does not. Its not unpredictable movement, this would come when Tim ...

SPITGATE
The #1 Source for New England Sports Opinions and Propaganda... — So will the New York Post be putting asterisks next to the Yankees box scores? Or maybe Rivera's stats? And no, I'm not accusing Rivera of cheating. I'm accusing New York fans of being an obnoxious, simple-minded rabble of morons and excuse machines. ...

Mariano Rivera and the Case of the Spitball
The Sporting Blog — It was only a fleeting moment in Monday night's game, and one that the FOX TV crew didn't even acknowledge, but there was Mariano Rivera, looking around and then spitting in the direction of the baseball he was about to throw. Did the spit make contact with the ball? I've ...

Internet controversy of the day! Does Rivera throw a spitter?
Big League Stew — Just weeks after the "Joe Mauer stealing signs" story momentarily shut down the Internet, it looks like baseball has another Zapruder film poised to make headlines — no matter if it's just a case of a weird camera angles and some strange transition trickery. According to the folks over at Halos Heaven, this YouTube video shows Mariano Rivera(notes) spitting on the ball just before starting his relief appearance in the 10th inning of the Yankees' 5-4 loss to the Angels on Monday. With the heat of a playoff battle putting them on edge, Angels fans are seeing red over ...

Enter Spitman
Boston Dirt Dogs — More Cheating from Bronx Bombers: Rivera Spits on Baseball Before Pitch Will Mariano Be Banned from the Game? Out of the Hall of Fame? And Is Papelbon Now the Greatest Closer Ever?

Girardi Blows Game, Rivera Cheats
Fenway West - A Boston Red Sox Blog — If the Angels win the ALCS there will be a great deal of blame thrown at Joe Girardi. By subbing for Johnny Damon he gave up the DH spot and had to pull Rivera out of the game to pinch hit for him.  He later replaced Robinson with Alfredo Aceves who gave up the winning hit. Rivera earlier got the Yankees out of a bases loaded jam by employing an illegal spitball.  Watch below:   ...

Mariano Rivera Spit Ball Video
Bob's Blitz — Yankees closer Mo Rivera bottom of the 10th. Turns away from the home base ump. Checks the the 2nd base ump. Then? More evidence that MLB needs the Yankees in the World Series? Seriously - the... Full story: http://www.bobsblitz.com Best Amazon prices for Blitz Subscribers: http://got.to/BlitzBestDeals ...

El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox — NOW THIS IS CHEATING!

Link: Mariano Rivera Spitball Video
MetsBlog.com — The following video, on YouTube, claims to show Mariano Rivera spitting on the baseball, moments before pitching to the Angels yesterday. For more on this “Internet Controversy of the Day,” check out Big League Stew, Deadspin, Halo’s Heaven, the Star-Tribune, and Fack Youk.

The Video That Everyone Is Talking About Today
Walkoff Walk — You simply won't believe your eyes when you watch this video of the Cubby Bear bar in Chicago circa 1984. Cubs fans by day! Punk rock slam dancers by night! Shocking nostalgia! Okay, okay, maybe the video that everyone is talking about today is really the one where Mariano Rivera allegedly spits on a baseball: Shocking ephemera! Halos Heaven had the video last night and claims, with associated screengrabs, to prove without a shadow of a doubt that Mariano is a Cheaty ...

Did Mariano Rivera Use Spitballs?
Intentional Foul — What would the baseball postseason be without some good ole controversy to get the fans worked up into a lather? Not one worth watching, I say. And as if one cue, we now have the Mariano Rivera spitball incident, courtesy of an Angels in the Outfield crew. One of the ringleaders of the Rivera outcry, a writer over at the SBNation outlet for Angles baseball, goes by the “Rev Halofan” handle, completing my weak pun attempt. The issue, which was well documented over at Halos Heaven, has to do with Mariano Rivera spitting in the vicinity of ...

Mariano Rivera Spit On The Ball During Game 3 Of The ALCS
FanIQ Blog — Anyone who has been around this site for more than 20 minutes or so knows that I hate the Yankees as much as anyone on the planet. So of course, seeing Mariano Rivera spitting on the ball during Game 3 of the ALCS against the Angels seems like the perfect opportunity to rip them, right? ...

Video: Mariano Rivera Spits On Baseball In ALCS
SPORTSbyBROOKS — Screengrab, via HalosHeaven.com, of Mariano Rivera spitting on a baseball before he delivered it to the plate yesterday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Angels. Video of Mariano Rivera Spitting On A Baseball Some will argue optical illusion, but what makes it clear to me is the way Rivera is holding the ball. Why else would he be gripping the ball in that manner, between his thumb and forefinger? Video after the jump. Yankee apologists will argue that Rivera spit away from the ball. But then why would he be holding the ball that way at exact the same time? MLB is bogging the whole protest down ...

Mariano: Guilty or Not?
YFSF — So here's the video: Personally, I think Mariano is spitting on the ground, not the ball. I've looked at this video a few times, and I think it's a tricky angle. I think the people who are eager to jump to conclusions are partisans. But they, of course, could say that about me. Here's what inarguable. The ...

VIDEO: MARIANO RIVERA CAUGHT CHEATING! SPITS ON BASEBALL DURING GAME!
Masshole Sports — What we have here is video evidence of Mariano Rivera spitting on a baseball in last nights game (in the 10th inning, with the game tied). In case you didn’t know, a spitball is not allowed in baseball. It is considered cheating. And people wonder why Mariano Rivera has been so dominant over the years! Check it out for yourself: In the video, he has his back to home plate so the home plate ump can't see. He then looks down at the ball, then up to see if the 2nd base ump is watching. Then he CLEARLY spits on the baseball. Wow. All I can say is wow. And I hope there are ...

Mariano Rivera: Spitball King?
Over the Monster — In news that first broke from our friend Rev at Halos Heaven, it seems as if future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera used a new pitch last night: a spitball. Here's the video: Judge for yourself, Red Sox fans. In my opinion, just by judging how he handles himself (looking around, down at the ball, etc.), I think he spit on the ball. And the question isn't, "so what? Nothing happened in that inning anyway." It is, "how long has the greatest closer in baseball history been throwing a spitball?" (Oh, and if you didn't already know, the spitball was banned by MLB in the ...

MLB backs Mariano Rivera in 'spitball' controversy
Projo Sox Blog — The Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office has reviewed a video from yesterday's Angels-Yankees game that showed Yankees closer Mariano Rivera spitting in the general direction of the baseball -- as well as still photography from the incident -- and determined that there is no evidence Rivera spit on the baseball. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the league believes that Rivera spit near, but not on, the ball. The league also noted that, in the video, Rivera does not appear to be concealing his action in any way -- as he might do were he about to throw an illicit spitball -- and that Rivera has not been the focus of any prior ...

No, he didn’t. So stop.
Sparty and Friends — MLB clears Rivera…because he is innocent.

Fack Youck To Angels Blog : I Spit On Your Grave
Can't Stop The Bleeding — Leaving aside for a moment the matter of Joe Girardi outsmarting himself, Rev. Halofan of Halo’s Heaven has reviewed the above video clip of Mariano Riveras’s appearance in the 10th inning of last night’s 5-4 win for the Angels and protests, “this is pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement.” Fackyouk, however, is not quite convinced. “Do these hacks really think that’s been the key to throwing the cutter all these ...

Video Shows Mariano Rivera Spitting in Direction of Baseball During ALCS Game 3
YanksBlog.com — So, let's acknowledge this story. In the clip below, popularized by Angels fan blog Halos Heaven , Mariano Rivera is shown spitting in the general direction of a baseball he is holding, in the 10th inning of last night's ALCS game 3 . Here's the clip: The post at Halos Heaven is tremendously unfair and short sighted, unfortunately. Even if Mo comes out today and admits to using a spitball for his entire career, the post would still be unfair and short sighted. While suggesting that "you be the judge," it also calls the clip "pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet ...

A spit decision
The LoHud Yankees Blog — Apparently, Mariano Rivera was labeled as a cheater for a few hours today. If you haven’t seen the video, check out YouTube for the “evidence” that Rivera spit on a baseball in last night’s game against the Angels. The video caused quite the uproar among Angels fans and Yankees fans alike. The New York Post, though, is reporting that Major League Baseball has looked into the incident and ruled that Rivera did not actually spit on the ball. He clearly spit near the ball, but not on it. The video clip that has circulated through the Internet comes from a camera angle that makes it tough to tell where the spit was ...

Mariano Rivera Spits
Bats — ANAHEIM, Calif. — A video clip spreading all over the Web on Tuesday shows Mariano Rivera holding the ball in his hand in the 10th inning of Game 3 on Monday, and — gasp — spitting downward. As magic loogies go, this would be right there with Roger McDowell hocking one at Newman and Kramer ...

Did Rivera throw a spitball?
The Yankee Universe — Despite a victory against the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS yesterday, Angels fans are acting like Mel Gibson did in the film Conspiracy Theory. Today, a group of them are accusing closer Mariano Rivera of throwing a spitball to Erick Aybar during the 10th inning after Phil Hughes had left the winning run on second base with zero outs. The video featured here is supposed to serve as conclusive evidence that Rivera—hailed the greatest reliever of all time—is a disingenuous cheater (or at least he was cheating for one particular batter). See that? See him look around and then spit on the ball? Oh no! Cutter explained! ...

Mariano Rivera's Spit Adds New Wrinkle to Game Four
NBC Washington - Sports — Mariano Rivera's Spit Adds New Wrinkle to Game Four Is saliva the secret to Rivera's success By JOSH ALPER Updated 4:24 PM EDT, Tue, Oct 20, 2009

Spit Take
The Joy of Sox — An accusation that Mariano Rivera spat on the baseball yesterday began at HalosHeaven and a short video clip has been making the rounds. This silliness got enough attention that MLB actually released a statement, saying it saw no evidence of misconduct. gif uploaded to SoSH by ndame616 [Fox cuts away just as the spit flies] I don't think anything worth mentioning is going on here. The camera angle is inconclusive; you don't prepare to throw a spitball by actually spitting on the ball; and pitchf/x data showed the pitch after the supposed spitting had modest movement. HalosHeaven ...

Mariano Rivera Loves The Spit Ball
So Yoked - Athletes Served Sunny Side Up —

The Spitter – You Decide
Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest — I think the whole Mariano Rivera spit ball story has been overblown. If he was going to do such a heinous act why would it be in clear view of the camera? The commissioner’s office has absolved Rivera of any wrong doing, but we all know that doesn’t always translate to innocence. Anyway, here is the 11 second video from YouTube and you can watch and decided for yourself.

Fox Replay Operator Contacts SbB About Rivera
SPORTSbyBROOKS — Today I was contacted by a Fox-TV replay operator who worked the Angels-Yankees game yesterday, and has examined every possible angle of the Mariano Rivera spitting episode . Video of Mariano Rivera Spitting On A Baseball (Notice how Rivera held the ball at the precise moment he spit? Why so?) Because he didn’t want to speak for Fox, the gentleman asked that he not be identified. He also prefaced his comment to me by saying he was not a Yankees or Angels fan. His comment on the case after the jump. Fox Replay Operator: “I have seen the raw video from the camera that had the tight shot of Rivera on the mound. With 100% certainty I can say that ...

MLB: No evidence Rivera threw spitter
Zell's Pinstripe Blog — Analyzing spit? Seriously? Mariano Rivera has been known to spit a lot in general, which is common among baseball players. You can’t positively say that the spit actually landed on the ball. Is that actually how the “spit ball” is made anyway? I have no idea. You have to laugh at this story because Mariano Rivera uses one pitch, which is his ...

Girardi laughs at allegations Rivera used spit
Digital Sports Daily — By Travis Duncan A video has surfaced which shows Yankees closer Mariano Rivera spitting towards the ball during the 10th inning of Monday’s ALCS game against the Anaheim Angels.  Before Tuesday night’s game in Anaheim Joe Giardi said he laughed when he heard the allegations. “I kind of laughed,” Giardi said. “Mo’s been throwing one pitch (fastball cutter) for a long time.” “I happen to catch him. He was accused of throwing a spitter. The one thing about a spitter is it consistently does not go one way like Mo’s ball consistently goes one way.” “MLB has investigated, they ...

Joe Girardi Blows and Mariano Rivera Spits?
DETROIT4LYFE — What more could we possibly ask for from the first three ALCS games between the Yankees and the Angels? Racist headlines, spitball conspiracy theories, aggressive teammate butt grabs, and oh yeah, pretty good baseball games. After the Angels walk-off victory in Game 3, rather than relishing in the ALCS victory, most of the attention the morning after, strangely enough, surrounded Mariano Rivera's alleged spitball in the 10th inning. See the video for yourself: As for the game, many people think Joe Girardi traveled the path to the pitcher's mound one ...

Mariano Rivera Spitball? No Way Says MLB
Babes Love Baseball — Youtube video has surfaced today which appears to show Mariano Rivera shiftily spitting on the baseball before a pitch. Major League Baseball of course denies the allegations, finding no reason to discipline the New York Yankees closer. So did he spit on the ball or not? It's hard to say, though the trajectory of the spit certainly seems to be headed directly for the ball. This video was clearly made by a distraught baseball fan who does not especially care for the Yankees. Sorry buddy, Mariano isn't going anywhere. Enjoy the series! [Not qualified to Comment] ...

Mariano Riviera's "SpitBall", Sounds like a bad movie
Outside the Boxscore — During game three of the ALCS, Yankees closer Mariano Riviera in the 10th inning appears to spit on the baseball that he is holding. The Angels went onto win but the question that everyone started ask is, "Did Riviera spit on the baseball?" Fox's coverage cuts away to a shot of Angels manager Mike Scioscia but it does appear that Riviera did spit on the ball. Then the blogosphere and YouTube got their hands of the video and many fans tried to proclaim that Riviera should be suspended for throwing a spit-ball. At this point, I could care less about whether Riviera threw a spit-ball or not. Did ...

October 21st Houston Sports FaF Smear
Fourth And Fifty — Song of the Day: Tim Fite – “Big Mistake“ Thank goodness for the MLB Postseason. It makes the whole 493 game season worth while… for fans that are lucky enough to have their team be one of the eight that make it.  Luckily for us Houstonians, we were able to give up ...