Tigers Even Series 1-1, Kenny Rogers' Hand Big Winner

I watched most of this game last night. Rogers performance was masterful, and even more so since he didn't have the advantage he's had for most of this streak.

...the 41-year-old Rogers warmed the crowd of 42,533 with another masterful performance. And because of Rogers, the Tigers will arrive in St. Louis with the Series tied, 1-1. The question is, did he cheat to do it?

Thanks to Fox's TV cameras, America — and likely the Cardinals watching in the visiting clubhouse — learned that Rogers had a brown substance just below the thumb of his left hand. The stuff was there in the first inning, when Cardinals hitters apparently noticed some of Rogers' pitches doing interesting things. Then it was gone in the second inning.
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But was it too amazing? On Sunday night, an ESPN video analysis of Rogers' left hand during his previous starts during the '06 playoffs appears to show a similar substance. If it was dirt, no problem. The MLB rule book has nothing against dirt.

The problem is, nobody actually inspected Rogers' hand. According to Palermo, the umpires "observed" the substance as dirt. Observing isn't the same thing as inspecting, but Palermo dismissed the difference. The umpiring crew, he said, could certainly tell the difference between dirt and, say, pine tar.

I'm not saying for sure, I'm just saying that I'll bet ole' Kenny was breaking out the pumice soap last night, in case any CSI guys show up at his door.