“That’s part of the game.” The short, unapologetic quote has ignited anger and debate across MLB in September 2025. Fans and players are debating whether gamesmanship crossed a line after a tipped changeup led to a three-run homer in a Yankees-Blue Jays matchup on Sept. 7. Reporting from Bleacher Report, ESPN and The New York Times confirms the pitcher admitted his glove made the pitch visible. This moment shows how small habits now swing outcomes – and what should the league do next?
What Baseball Fans Need To Know About The Tipping Remark That Blew Up
- The veteran pitcher admitted a visible glove on Sept. 7, 2025; impact: 3-run homer.
- Batters signaled the changeup openly; benches briefly cleared after earlier incidents.
- Several similar tipping episodes were reported across 2025, raising league scrutiny.
Why This Line Hit Like A Bombshell For Baseball Fans
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The quote landed in the middle of a tense game and reframed a routine gripe into a league-wide controversy. The remark came after the Yankees signaled a changed pitch that produced a three-run homer, turning a close game into a decisive swing. With sign-stealing protocols tightened since 2020 and PitchCom standard since 2022, this felt like an escalation of old gamesmanship into plain sight. Are fans witnessing a new norm where subtle tells become public tactics?
How A Single Short Quote Fueled A Week Of Heated Reactions
The phrase quickly spread in sports feeds and punditry, turning a tactical gripe into a viral talking point. Analysts point to an accumulation of incidents in 2025 – several teams have been linked to tipping scuffles – making this line feel less like an excuse and more like a confession. The tweet thread from baseball commentators amplified outrage and nostalgia for an era when players policed the game themselves.
Does baseball need to toughen up a bit when it comes to dealing with obnoxious sign-stealing? pic.twitter.com/AEPHVuevXd
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 9, 2025
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Why Opinions Are So Polarized Over Pitch Tipping In 2025
Some argue tipping is crafty gamesmanship; others call it a competitive, integrity-eroding shortcut. Pitchers say they must eliminate their tells; hitters and coaches argue exploitation is part of strategy. Umpires and the league face a thorny enforcement problem: how do you rule on eye contact, waving hands, or subtle glove positioning without turning every at-bat into a confrontation? Which side do you trust as a fan?
The Numbers That Show How Pitch Tipping Changed Games This Season
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Incidents reported | 6 cases | Visible pattern across 2025 |
| Changeups after the tip | 14 throws | Pitcher kept throwing changeups despite tip |
| Game swing result | 3-run homer | Direct momentum shift in Sept. 7 game |
Pitch tipping has become a repeat, game-altering problem in 2025.
Who Said The Quote – And Why Their Voice Matters Now
The speaker is Max Scherzer, a veteran pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. “That’s part of the game,” said Max Scherzer after the Yankees signaled his changeup on Sept. 7, 2025, a play that produced a three-run homer. Scherzer’s status as a multiple-time Cy Young winner and high-profile starter makes his offhand remark resonate: when a star frames tipping as routine, the league faces pressure to act.
What Lasts Beyond The Quote – How This Could Change MLB Rules In 2025
League offices prefer technical fixes, but enforcement is messy. Expect more formal complaints, replay-room audits, and coaching directives to hide grips. Pitchers will be urged to alter routines quickly; hitters may feel emboldened to signal more blatantly. Which fix will stick: stricter policing, new tech limits, or simply a cultural shift among players?
Sources
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25247556-hidden-crisis-pitch-tipping-mlb
- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6608706/2025/09/07/max-scherzer-pitch-tipping-yankees-blue-jays/
- https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46191423/judge-tips-rice-ahead-scherzer-changeup-leading-hr
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.