On July 12, 1970, longtime spitball suspect Gaylord Perry faced a mid-game inspection after Astros third baseman Doug Rader raised the alarm. Umpires checked Perry’s hat, glove, ears, neck, and even brought out a towel to dry him off in front of thousands of fans. Though he stayed in the game, Houston players weren’t buying his innocence. Perry, as always, seemed to revel in the drama—mastering the art of keeping hitters and umpires guessing.