As far as pine tar controversies go, this wasn’t exactly George Brett versus Billy Martin.
The Red Sox basically shrugged off the possibility Michael Pineda had pine tar on his right hand during the first four innings of the Yankees’ 4-1 win Thursday night in The Bronx — four innings during which he didn’t surrender a hit.
“Everybody uses pine tar in the league,” David Ortiz said. “It’s not a big deal.”
Ortiz, like most of his teammates, claimed to be completely unaware Pineda had what appeared to be a brown, sticky substance on his palm.
Boston manager John Farrell said it was brought to his attention after the fourth inning and that by the time Pineda came out for the fifth, his hand was clean.
His thoughts on the matter were murky.
“A foreign substance is illegal,” Farrell said. “In the cold weather, you’re looking to get a grip. I can’t say it’s uncommon that guys will look to create a little bit of a grip. Typically, you’re not trying to be as blatant.”
Pineda, for his part, said he did not have pine tar on his hand, only dirt.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising the Red Sox never brought the matter to the umpiring crew.
“No one said a word,” crew chief Brian O’Nora said.
Last May, Clay Buchholz was accused by Toronto broadcasters — including Jack Morris — of throwing a spitball, but the Red Sox insisted it was a combination of rosin and water. Farrell defended his pitcher and Morris later apologized.
Then in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals, Jon Lester was seen with a substance in his glove, but nothing was done.
“If you’re scuffing the ball, that’s one thing,” Buchholz said. “If you’re creating more control by throwing where you want to, that’s the game of baseball.”
“I’d rather him have a good grip and know where the ball is going,” David Ross said. “I don’t think he was cheating.”
The last time pine tar became this much of an issue at Yankee Stadium, the reaction was considerably more fiery.
On July 24, 1983, Brett’s two-run homer off Goose Gossage gave the Royals the lead before Yankees manager Billy Martin protested that Brett had too much pine tar on his bat. The umpires agreed, ending the game, and Brett stormed onto the field and had to be restrained from attacking umpire Tim McClelland. Kansas City protested the outcome, which was upheld; the remainder of the game was played on Aug. 24 and the Royals won.
“Performance enhancement to me is doctoring the ball,” left-hander Chris Capuano said. “That is really crossing the line. But something to give you a little tack is essentially the same thing as the rosin bag. It’s to get a grip. Some people put shaving cream on their arms. No problem. You’re not doing anything unnatural. But if it’s obvious, goopy pine tar, that’s pushing it a little bit.”