Billy Martin orders his pitchers to throw spitballs, in an effort to show the umpiring crew that they don’t consistently enforce the rules when Indians right-hander Gaylord Perry is on the mound. The Tiger manager, suspended for three days by American League president Joe Cronin, doesn’t understand being punished for telling the truth about asking his pitchers to throw illegal pitches.

On August 30, 1973 — Billy Martin orders his pitchers to throw spitballs, in an effort to show the umpiring crew that they don’t consistently enforce the rules when Indians right-hander Gaylord Perry is on the mound. The Tiger manager, suspended for three days by American League president Joe Cronin, doesn’t understand being punished for telling the truth about asking his pitchers to throw illegal pitches.

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Sources:
Baseball Reference August 30
National Pastime August 30
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
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