The New York Media Needs To Calm Down About Pineda

Apr 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) is ejected from the game for having a foreign substance on his neck during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Last night after the New York Yankees/Boston Red Sox game in which Yankees’ starter Michael Pineda was tossed after having used pine tar, George A. King III of the NY Post wrote an article questioning the intelligence level of Pineda, and whether or not he’s mentally fit to pitch in the big leagues.  All I can say to George A. King III and his fellow New York media conglomerate is “Calm down.” It’s not the end of the world that Pineda got caught cheating.

The level of character assassination and blame blows me away. Brian Cashman is “embarrassed.” I along with thousands of Yankees’ fans are embarrassed at Cashman’s attempt to build an infield with throw aways like Brian Roberts. Is anyone questioning his mental acuity to be the team’s GM? Multiple players have admitted, or been named, or have tested positive for using PEDs, which ABSOLUTELY affect the game, yet players like Ryan Braun are welcomed back with open arms, as if nothing happened. What’s George King’s explanation for that? I haven’t read too many people calling Alex Rodriguez an “idiot” and being treated by the media as Yanks Go Yard senior writer Ricky Keeler told me last night “A 6-year-old” the way Pineda has been handled. It’s pine tar. It’s not steroids. Gaylord Perry made a Hall of Fame career out of doctoring the ball, using a foreign substance. It didn’t stop the writers from electing him to Cooperstown.

I’ll mention this again as well. While the New York media is quick to throw Pineda under the bus as a virtual incompetent toddler, not much blame is getting put on manager Joe Girardi, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, catcher Brian McCann, or team trainer Steve Donohue. If ESPN’s cameras can spot the shiny streak on his neck, forcing Red Sox manager John Farrell to reluctantly say something to the umpires, which led to the inspection and ejection of Pineda, did the Yankees’ bench and coaching staff see nothing? Were the blinders on to look straight ahead, leaving Pineda to fend for himself? Great teamwork by the Yankees, and what a lack of accountability by the digital and print media of New York. You want to talk about homers and slanted coverage, wake up Mr. King, and smell the pine tar!