Was Sunday's game the first time Kenny Rogers pitched with an illegal substance on his hand?

Why is Rogers suddenly pitching lights out?  Before the 2006 playoffs, Rogers was 0-3 in 9 appearances with an 8.96 ERA.  In the 2006 playoffs, he has pitched 23 scoreless innings.  Mike Francesa made a great point in his Sunday evening "Mike'd Up" Show on NBC.

Max Kellerman had a caller Monday morning on his return to 1050 AM ESPN attest to seeing him use an illegal substance during the Yankees and As series.

Why didn't the umpires throw him out of the game?  It's an automatic ten game suspension which would have disqualified him for a possible Game 6 and another start next season.  Why didn't Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa object more vehemently?  Is it because of his close friendship with Tiger Manager Jim Leyland?  Why does La Russa's hitting coach Hal McRae have to stand up for the Cardinals and not La Russa?

A caller into Brandon Tierney's 1050 ESPN Monday Night radio show that the brim on Rogers' hat was darker than the other Tigers' players.  Was it to hide the pine tar and/or another illegal substance?

Even Sports Illustrated, a magazine that I grew up reading but boycotted after they put the Padres Trevor Hoffman as the so-called "Best Reliever of All Time".  BTW, all National League fans can "thank" Trevor for blowing the save in the All-Star Game and with it home field advantage in the World Series. Moreover, my friend Nancy from work gave me this SI link on how pitchers cheat.

BTW, I listened to the Cardinals radio broadcast tonight in the spirit of equal time.  It was a great treat listening to a clip of the late, great Jack Buck with a call from the 1968 World Series. Tiger starter Nate Robinson didn't seem too bothered by the 13 day layoff until the fourth. Reigning NL Cy Young Award Winner Chris Carpenter pitched a three hitter through eight strong shutout innings.  Even another former NY Choke Artist (NYCA) Braden Looper pitched a scoreless 9th inning. 

Reigning NL MVP King Albert Pujols got an unlucky break in the bottom of the fourth with a ground rule double which would have scored Preston "Mookie's Not Your Father" Wilson from first.  However, after loading the bases in the same inning, Edmonds doubled in two runs.  The Cardinals added two more runs in the 7th and another in the 8th.

The Cardinals win the game 5-0 and lead the series 2 games to 1.  Medford Bob (formerly known as Boston Bob) is smiling and happy that the Cardinals, one of his teams won.

Posted by The Tank in NY.