Chicago Cubs pitcher Luke Little found himself in a surprising predicament ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup against the Houston Astros. The young reliever had to swap out his glove due to the presence of an American flag patch, a move that stirred controversy and left him feeling perplexed.

Manager Craig Counsell shed light on the situation, explaining that the flag patch on Little’s glove raised concerns about potential distractions for hitters. MLB rules are stringent when it comes to pitcher’s gloves, particularly regarding the presence of white coloring, which could interfere with the batter’s focus.

So we go from Sammy Sosa running laps around the stadium waving an America flag to telling a guy he has to change gloves or leave the game for having an American flag on his glove..

What a shame Cubbies, What a shame..

— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) April 26, 2024

Following the game, Little took to social media platform X to express his patriotism, sharing a message of pride in being American alongside a flag emoji and a GIF featuring Hulk Hogan strumming a guitar in front of the Stars and Stripes.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Little expressed his disappointment at having to part ways with the flag-adorned glove, citing his desire to represent his country without causing harm or gaining an unfair advantage on the field.

While the incident sparked debate about the balance between personal expression and adherence to league regulations, Little remained steadfast in his commitment to his national pride, even as he navigated the unexpected hurdle of adjusting to a new glove before taking the mound.

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