Astros catcher Martín Maldonado will go back to using his traditional bat for the remainder of the World Series after MLB officials determined he used an illegal bat in Game 1 against the Phillies, according to Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci.
According to Verducci, Maldonado found out on Saturday prior to Game 2 that the bat, given to him by the great Albert Pujols, would not be permitted going forward. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Friday Maldonado contacted the future Hall of Fame slugger about bats in the lead-up to the series and received a half-dozen from Pujols himself prior to Game 1.
Verducci explained during Maldonado’s first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning in Game 2 Saturday night that the bat was legal for Pujols to use because the model had been “grandfathered in” after a rule change ahead of the 2011 season. Therefore, Maldonado, who began his career in 2011, will have to make a switch despite his intention to honor the retiring Pujols.
