truebluefan

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is man of principle -– and for that he deserves our respect.

La Russa is fiercely competitive and protective of his players. He has a law degree, so he certainly knows how to present a compelling case when he sees something he dislikes.

On the other hand, he respects his opponents and the sanctity of competition. “I detest any B.S. that gets in the way of competition,” he reminded reporters at his Monday news conference.

So when La Russa had his chance to nail Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers for cheating in Game 2 of the World Series, he let him off easy.


Rather than demand a mound inspection during the first inning -– when Fox TV cameras captured gunk on Rogers left hand -– La Russa merely asked the umpires to make sure Rogers washed his hands before returning to the mound.

“I decided I was not going to be part of the B.S of asking the umpire to go to the mound and undress the pitcher,” he said.

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Rodriguez13

It really shouldn't be that big of a deal. Kenny Rogers had it on for 1 inning. That was actually the worst inning Kenny pitched. After he washed his hands he pitched 7 more scoreless innnings. He was even better without it. Also there was a very small amount of whatever it was on his hand.

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Wsoxmike59

I beg to differ, LaRussa did the Cardinals a real disservice by not pursuing it further. He could've had Rogers ejected for cheating the way the Mets had Jay Howell of the Dodgers ejected in the '88 NLCS for having pine tar in his glove during a Playoff game.

LaRussa and the Cardinals had Rogers caught red handed, literally and figuratively and they let him off the hook. The rules clearly state:
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Rule 3.02 states that, "No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sand-paper, emery-paper or other foreign substance."

Rule 8.02 states that a pitcher "shall not" even deliver a ball that he defaces with spit or a foreign substance or by rubbing the ball on his glove, person or clothing.

The penalty for both violations is ejection.




Screen captures from FOX's telecast of Sunday's Game 2 of the World Series show before and after images of Tiger pitcher Kenny Rogers' left hand. (FOX Sports)