Written by Bob Nightengale at USAToday.com
Jake Arrieta’s dark brown eyes flash that stare that’s become all too familiar to opposing hitters, but instead of rage or indignation, there’s almost empathy.
Arrieta, amid the finest 24-start pitching run ever produced in baseball history, has sensed a reluctance from peers and fans to fully embrace the enormity of his greatness.
It’s only natural to wonder how a guy can go from being a pitcher traded three years ago for journeyman Scott Feldman to becoming the reincarnation of Bob Gibson, without, well, cheating.
Wednesday night, Arrieta will pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field with the chance to join Johnny Vander Meer as the only pitchers to throw consecutive no-hitters.
That feat would only add to the legend of a player the Chicago Cubs reclaimed and restored from baseball’s scrap heap.
As for scrutiny, well, Arrieta is already accustomed to that part of the deal.
“I’ve heard players, and I’m talking about some of the best players in the league,’’ Arrieta told USA TODAY Sports, “question whether I’ve taken steroids or not. Some of the things I hear are pretty funny, and some people are idiots, frankly.
“I’ll see on Twitter, ‘My close source revealed to me he’s on steroids.’ Well, the 10 tests I take a year say otherwise. I eat plants. I eat lean meat. I work out. And I do things the right way.
“If there are guys still on it, I hope they get caught. I care about the integrity of the game. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my family, my friends, my fans. That’s a huge motivating factor in doing it the right way.
“There are so many people that are counting on you, and leaning on all of us in this clubhouse to do some special things for the city of Chicago. To jeopardize that by taking banned substances, would be a ridiculous mistake.’’
He laughs at the cynicism and innuendo, without displaying the slightest hint of anger.
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