Gerrit Cole Speaks On Josh Donaldson Insinuating That He Uses A Foreign Sunstance

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was under scrutiny after Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson hinted that the Yankees pitchers’ spin rate from his previous start was an indication that he had been cheating in the past.

“Is it coincidence that [Yankees pitcher] Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down yesterday after four minor leaguers got suspended for 10 games?” JoshDonaldson said via Star Tribune. “I don’t know. Maybe. [Dodgers pitcher] Trevor Bauer has been vocal about, ‘Hey, these are the substances that guys mix together.’ Well, now, as a pitcher, if you sit here and say, ‘Oh, hey, these guys are getting away with it, this guy’s getting $325 million, this guy’s getting paid, this guy’s doing this, they’re not cracking down on it, why wouldn’t I do it?’

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Prior to the Yankees’ series opener with the Twins on Tuesday night, Gerrit Cole was asked about his thoughts on Josh Donaldson and other people around baseball questioning his integrity.

“People are entitled to their opinion. My job and my focus is to get better every day,” Cole said. “I respectfully have more things on my plate that are more important for us to win games right now than what people say. … It doesn’t make me happy. I’m not thrilled about it.”

Gerrit Cole: "People are entitled to their opinion. My job and my focus is to get better every day. I respectfully have more things on my plate that are more important for us to win games right now than what people say. … It doesn't make me happy. I'm not thrilled about it."

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 8, 2021

Gerrit Cole opted to take the high road here. And with the Yankees in a prolonged slump as a team, that was probably the right move.

There’s a time to talk big and be cocky, and after getting swept by the Red Sox isn’t that time for anyone on the Yankees.

I’m sure Gerrit Cole will have some extra incentive to pitch light-out when he takes the ball against Josh Donalson and the Twins on Wednesday.

There will be a lot of people curious to see what happens when Josh Donaldson steps into the box against Gerrit Cole. It should be fun.

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