Sunday, June 19, 2005

Sticky Situation

"I'm not using it to cheat."

This brilliant defense was served up by pitcher Brendan Donnelly of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Orange County California after he was caught with pine tar on his glove the other night. This is like saying, "It's not armed robbery. When I went to steal money from the liquor store, I had a gun in my hand only for my personal protection."

"I'm not denying the fact that I had some pine tar on my glove. I did."

Brendan thinks his 10-day suspension is too severe. Boo-hoo. Having a foreign substance on your glove, no matter what the motivation or excuse, is against the rules. If you break or subvert the rules, you are cheating. If you cheat and get caught, you pay with a suspension.

Sit down and shut up, Brendan.


© 2005 Douglas T. Dinsmoor