pine tar–n: A viscous or semisolid brown-to-black substance produced by distillation of pine wood used as an expectorant and antiseptic (via American Heritage Medical Dictionary)
Most of you heard about Michael Pineda and his second attempt using pine tar on the bump in his recent outing against the Boston Red Sox.
via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports
While the streak of pine tar, clearly seen in this photo, resembles that of a hickey, it resembled the mark Pineda has made on the MLB. Derek Jeter‘s face says it all. Nobody is getting sent home with a gift basket tonight.
Putting the pine tar aside, the unwritten rules of the MLB come into play. This specifically is that we all know there is pine tar going on, but try to hide it better. Pineda didn’t even care to try to camouflage it. It was easier to spot Winona Ryder when she was shoplifting.
Like I mentioned earlier, just a couple weeks ago he had a similar outing against the same team. This time, he was a bit more discreet, however even Stevie Wonder could see he was using pine tar.
via The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
So what does this mean for baseball? Well, nothing really. Pineda is however getting suspended for 10 games according to multiple sources.
The official rule book comes into play. According to Rule 8.02(b):
prohibits pitchers from altering the ball to gain an unfair advantage, and forbids them from having a foreign substance on them or in their possession on the mound.
To the average person, this rule is black and white. To the baseball enthusiast, it’s 50 shades of a different scenario. It seems more of the baseball population was annoyed he wasn’t trying to hide it as opposed to breaking the rule above. Hence the term “unwritten rule.”
Compare the unwritten rules to “Bro Code.” You don’t date your friends ex, you don’t talk about pine tar.
This scenario was a tad bit different. Pure coincidence that he was just being rocked by the Boston bats just an inning earlier don’t you think? That could be a factor. Or perhaps the fact that it was his second time? It could very well be only two strikes allowed in that said game of baseball, then you’re out.
Still, unwritten rules in the game of baseball shouldn’t be broken either. With this being said, pine tar being a big deal as far as a foreign substance, is just laughable. It’s being used, and it will continue to be used.
And when it comes to pine tar situations, let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself…
Photo: Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports