MLB recently announced the retirement of veteran umpire Phil Cuzzi, a name that resonates deeply with Mets fans due to a memorable 2023 incident involving the ejection of former ace Max Scherzer. Cuzzi's career has been nothing short of illustrious, marked by his participation in the 2017 World Series, three League Championship Series, and two All-Star Games, including the iconic 2008 Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium and the 2019 showcase in Cleveland.
Cuzzi's reputation extends beyond these high-profile games. He was behind the plate for no-hitters thrown by St.
Louis Cardinals lefty Bud Smith in 2001 and Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels in 2015. However, it’s his role in the Scherzer ejection that remains a hot topic in New York.
During the Mets’ 5-3 win over the Dodgers, Cuzzi, serving as crew chief, made the call to eject Scherzer, highlighting MLB’s stringent stance on illegal sticky substances. The drama unfolded when Cuzzi first inspected Scherzer’s glove in the third inning, prompting a change due to a sticky substance.
Scherzer returned and pitched a flawless third inning, but as he headed to the mound for the fourth, Cuzzi and home plate umpire Dan Bellino stopped him for another inspection. This time, Scherzer was ejected.
Bellino later explained, “As far as stickiness, this was the stickiest that it has been since I have been inspecting hands, which goes back three seasons. It was so sticky that when we touched his hand, our fingers were sticking to his hand. Whatever was on there remained on our fingers for a few innings afterward.”
Scherzer defended his actions, explaining that he had washed his hand with alcohol, reapplied rosin-permitted under MLB rules-and added sweat. “I knew I was going to get checked in the fourth,” Scherzer said.
“So I have to be an absolute idiot to try to do anything when I am coming back out for the fourth. I am in front of the MLB official that is underneath.
I wash my hand with alcohol in front of the official. I then apply rosin and I then grabbed sweat.
I then go back out there and Phil Cuzzi says my hand is too sticky.”
The decision to eject Scherzer was not taken lightly by the umpiring crew, who recognized the weight of ejecting a future Hall of Famer. Bellino emphasized that the substance exceeded typical rosin residue.
Beyond the diamond, Cuzzi has made significant contributions off the field. A New Jersey native, he founded the Robert Luongo ALS Fund in 2003, supporting ALS patient care and research, showcasing his commitment to making a difference beyond baseball.