Pine Tar Game II?

ANAHEIM -- When comparing famous pine tar moments, Brendan Donnelly's won't quite rank up there with George Brett's.
The former Royal charged from the dugout after his bat was declared illegal at Yankee Stadium on July 24, 1983, when the gamesman was none other than Billy Martin. The then-Yankees manager suspected that Brett was using a bat with pine tar above the allowed limit of 18 inches from the tip of the handle. So when Brett hit a ninth-inning, two-out, two-run homer for a 5-4 Royals lead, Martin approached home-plate umpire Tim McClelland about the apparent violation.

McClelland agreed and Brett was ejected, handing the Yankees a 4-3 win. But what launched the moment into lore was Brett storming from the visitor's dugout and then being restrained by a host of teammates.

Of course, the ruling was eventually overturned, the home run stood and the Royals won the game.

Donnelly was caught Tuesday and ejected for having pine tar on his glove. Nationals manager Frank Robinson alerted home-plate umpire Tim Tschida after the Nationals video crew spotted what it thought was unusual movement on Donnelly's pitches during advance scouting of the Angels.

On the mound to relieve starter Ervin Santana in the seventh inning, Donnelly was prevented from completing his warmups so the crew could inspect the glove.

Donnelly's reaction when crew chief Dale Scott cited rule 8.02 (b), which disallows a pitcher from having a foreign substance on his person, was much tamer than Brett's, but he was nonetheless angry and continued to regret the incident Wednesday afternoon.

"It's not like I'm using it to doctor the ball," said Donnelly, who faces a possible suspension. His glove was sent to the Commissioner's Office for further review. "I want to know that I have a good grip on the ball and I'm not going to kill people."

Even though it is essentially illegal, Donnelly admits to using pine tar occasionally to control the pitch in cold or sweaty conditions, but not to cheat.

But what propelled the moment from a footnote to a possibly contentious issue was the exchange between Robinson and Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who let Robinson know that he was going to employ the same tactic. Robinson took exception and both benches and bullpens emptied. Nationals outfielder and former Angel Jose Guillen had to be restrained.

Robinson felt Scioscia showed disrespect. But Scioscia said he was simply protecting his club and making it clear he would not be intimidated.

"If you don't like the fact that you have the same prerogative to undress their pitchers, then so be it," Scioscia said. "But I don't think I disrespected him. I don't agree with that."

Brendan Donnelly / P
Born: 07/04/71
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 240 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R

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Scioscia and Donnelly both agreed that using pine tar was a violation, but they both vehemently denied Robinson's second allegation, that Donnelly also used sandpaper.

Robinson holds to how he handled the situation and believes there was more to the glove than pine tar.

"Why was Donnelly upset? Because he got caught," Robinson said. "Everybody knows he is breaking the rules. [Donnelly] went to the back of the mound and Donnelly was shaking his bare hand and he was walking up to [Adam] Kennedy. I didn't see him give the sandpaper to Kennedy. But I would bet that ranch that he had sandpaper."

Usage known: Part of Scioscia's complaint about the pine tar is that it is known that pitchers use it for grip, but not to enhance performance. He admitted, though, that he may have alerted an umpire had he seen it on an opposing pitcher's glove.

Angels starter Jarrod Washburn said he does not use it, but said it's been a known substance for pitchers for a long time. Washburn also said hitters are aware and don't necessarily have a problem with it.

"I know the few hitters on our team that have said they would rather have a pitcher have a good grip on the ball instead of not knowing where it is going," Washburn said.

Forgotten man: Santana is on his second tour with the Angels this season, essentially performing temporary duty in the absence of injured starter Kelvim Escobar. But the 22-year-old, who mixes a natural giddiness with steely calm, is quickly making a claim for permanent residence as a Major Leaguer.

Santana was pulled in favor of Donnelly with one out on Tuesday. But over 6 1/3 innings, Santana allowed one run on four hits and four walks. After getting lit up in his first Major League start, Santana has allowed one run over 15 1/3 innings with 14 strikeouts in his next two starts. He was in line for the win Tuesday.

On deck: The Angels will be off Thursday and then will welcome the Marlins to town for a three-game series, beginning Friday. Washburn will face Florida right-hander Brian Moehler in the opener. Game time is 7:05 p.m. PT.

Source: http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/