Blue Jays Claim Video Shows Eckersley Trying to Hide Something in His Uniform
A videotape the Toronto Blue Jays claim shows Oakland relief ace Dennis Eckersley trying to hide something down his pants last Sunday has been sent to American League president Bobby Brown and to the baseball commissioner’s office, it was reported Thursday.
Jays publicist Howard Starkman said there “was some incriminating evidence” on the tape. “We happen to have a video showing very clearly that Eckersley picked something up and stuck it down the front of his pants,” Starkman said.
Pat Gillick, the Jays’ general manager, said the team took the film of Eckersley “because we had some solid information about what was going on.”
Gillick denied that Texas Manager Bobby Valentine was the one who tipped the Jays, as the A’s had accused. Valentine was working the weekend games in Toronto for NBC-TV and was stationed near the Toronto dugout.
Valentine has informed Eckersley, pitching coach Dave Duncan and Manager Tony La Russa that he wants apologies from all three.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
