Just Admit It Already!

We all know it's Pine Tar. We've known it was pine tar since the first time it was pointed out on the broadcast. Don't try to tell us it was dirt, or tell us that you won't chew yesterday's breakfast or that you be responsible for undressing the pitcher.

Is Kenny Rogers cheating. Obviously. Is he alone? Not according to an interview with an anonymous bullpen coach interviewed by a cnnsi.com writer. Typically they use shaving cream and suntan lotion according the coach.

But here's the whole deal: It's obvious he was using pine tar. Regardless of what anyone wants to call it or how they want to handle it, the rules are very simple on the subject. Quite plainly, if you're caught with it, you get thrown out. Much like going 80 in a 55 - yeah, you're breaking the law, but you only pay the penalty if you're caught.

And this moron who is obviously too stupid to know how to hide it, got caught. After showing that it was on his hand for 3 straight playoff games, he deserves a suspension. Not to send the message that pine tar shouldn't be used, but to send the message that you need at least TRY to hide. Slow down when you see the cop over the next hill, don't just keep on going 80 and dare him to give you the ticket.

The strike in 1994 almost killed baseball. The 1998 homerun chase brought the average fans back to the game, but only at the cost of the game's core credibility as the steroid scandal clouded every achievement over the past 10 years.

Now on the game's biggest stage, the World Series, Kenny Rogers blatantly has pine tar smeared all over his hand, and not only the coaches try to sweep it under the carpet, the umpires do too.

It's another black mark (or yellowish-brown) on the game that has already had too may black marks lately.

We know they all cheat, but for crying out loud...at least TRY to hide it a little bit.