Yep, vaseline, plus Gaylord in his latter years (remember Perry had a exploding fastball in the 60s and mid 70s) once Perry lost his fastball, he would use Vitalis in his hair, and when he sweat, he'd wipe his brow,and voila a slippery ball intact, that would dance more than dirty dancing and flashdance combined....!
Several pitchers used finger nail emery boards, in the back pocket, or in the glove (Joe Niekro and Don Sutton were busted with a nail file in their back pockets), sand paper, even had their catchers swipe the sharp buckles of their knee pads, to scuff up the ball, so they could not only get a better grip, but a cut ball, also dances in funny unhittable ways. (several pitchers were also caught with a bit of sandpaper in their gloves). Then we had Kenny Rodgers in the 05 Series with tar, yet LaRussa knew it, and never said a word. Not a factor Tony said.
Yet, the game is changing, no blocked plates, ten second pitch count, replay, now this issue. I believe even Torre will tell those, a pitcher needs something for grip on these slippery brand new balls. It's like throwing an ice cube. However, I never found a ball to slippery that a good rosin bag would not cure. Palm it with dirt, that is not illegal....then rosin up the hand.
