Sir, There’s Something on Your Neck

I don't know if you caught the Yankee game last night, but the Yankee's starting pitcher Michael Pineda made a terrible life decision.

Let's rewind to a few weeks ago when the Yankees played the Red Sox at home in Yankee Stadium. Michael Pineda was, again, the starting pitcher. It was extremely noticeable that he had pine tar on his hands. Pine Tar is used to give pitchers a better grip on the ball during colder games. Now, there is a rule in the MLB that prohibits use of pine tar, however there is a loophole. Many pitchers use it, but they keep it well hidden (whether it be on their belt or on their glove) so no one really questions the use of it, as long as it's not noticeable.  During that first meeting of Pineda and the Red Sox, nothing was said because if the Red Sox checked Pineda, the Yankees could do the same and the likelihood is that the Red Sox pitcher was using Pine Tar as well.

After the first incident, all eyes were on Pineda. So when the Yankees made their way up to Fenway this week there is no doubt the Sox were going to be keeping an eye out. Turns out Pineda thought he was being smooth, because after his abysmal first inning Pineda returned to the mound with a shiny substance on his neck. This did not go unnoticed by the Red Sox bench and the Umps came out and confirmed it was Pine Tar. Pineda was then ejected from the game and the Yankees went on to lose 5-1.

As a die hard Yankee fan, I was so disappointed. I was talking with a friend before the game and we discussed how funny it would be if Pineda had pine tar all over his hands again. I thought it would be funny because, honestly, how dumb can you be? It brings me to the real question here, if all pitchers are using Pine Tar why not veto the rule or at least modify it to accept the use of it in moderation.

Yankee fan or not, what are you thoughts on the Pine Tar issue? Should Pineda get another slap on the wrist or a more serious punishment like suspension?