For many baseball fans, the idea of cheating in the sport is something that can never be forgiven. Unfortunately, throughout the history of baseball, there have been many players who have attempted to gain an advantage by using an illegal bat. One of the most famous examples of this is when a player was caught using a corked bat. In this article, we’ll take a look at who got caught using a corked bat, why they did it and how it affected their career.
What is a Corked Bat?
Before we get into who got caught using a corked bat, it’s important to understand what a corked bat is and why it’s considered cheating. A corked bat is one that has had a piece of cork inserted into the end of it. This makes the bat lighter and more flexible, which in turn makes it easier for the batter to hit the ball further and with greater power. As you can imagine, this is an unfair advantage that has been banned from the sport.
Reggie Jackson – The Most Famous Case
The most famous case of a player being caught using a corked bat is that of former New York Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson. In 1983, Jackson was observed by the umpire to be using a corked bat during a game against the Chicago White Sox. After further investigation, it was discovered that the bat had indeed been tampered with, and Jackson was suspended for 10 games.
The Impact of Reggie Jackson’s Suspension
Reggie Jackson’s suspension had a major impact on both his career and the team’s performance. In the immediate aftermath, the Yankees went into a slump and ended up missing the playoffs. Jackson himself was never able to fully recover from the incident and his career in New York was never the same. He was eventually traded to the Baltimore Orioles and his reputation was forever tarnished.
Other Players Who Have Used Corked Bats
Reggie Jackson is certainly not the only player to have been caught using a corked bat. In fact, there have been many other players throughout history who have been caught doing the same. Some of the most notable names include Sammy Sosa, Albert Belle, Wilton Guerrero, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco. All of these players faced suspensions and fines for their actions, although none of them were as severe as Reggie Jackson’s.
The Aftermath of Corked Bat Use
In the aftermath of Reggie Jackson’s suspension, Major League Baseball took steps to crack down on the use of corked bats. The league passed a rule that any player found to be using an illegal bat would be automatically ejected from the game and face a suspension. This rule is still in place today and has helped to ensure that players are not attempting to gain an unfair advantage by using an illegal bat.
Conclusion
The use of corked bats is one of the most notorious forms of cheating in baseball. Unfortunately, there have been many players who have been caught using them over the years. The most famous example is that of Reggie Jackson, who was caught using a corked bat in 1983 and received a 10 game suspension. Since then, Major League Baseball has taken steps to crack down on the use of corked bats, and players have been much more careful when it comes to using them.