LITTLE ROCK — Time to get those new gloves
Even without throwing a pitch, Tampa Bay’s Joel Peralta left his mark on Tuesday’s game with the Washington Nationals.
The reliever was ejected in the Rays’ 5-4 victory when Washington Manager Davey Johnson asked the umpires to check Peralta’s glove while the pitcher was warming up in the eighth inning.
The check found “a significant amount of pine tar,” according to crew chief Tim Tschida. The umpires carried the glove off the field and tossed Peralta.
As the reliever walked off the field, he tipped his cap to the Nationals dugout.
“Good for them,” said Peralta, who pitched for the Arkansas Travelers in 2002 and 2003. “They still lose the game.”
Tampa Bay Manager Joe Maddon was clearly upset with the umpires on the field, andafterward he called Johnson “cowardly” for requesting the check of the reliever who pitched for the Nationals in 2010.
“Insider trading, man. It’s bush,” Maddon said. “It’s bogus.”
Peralta did not directly answer when asked if he intentionally added pine tar to the glove.
“That’s a glove that I use for batting practice every day,” he said. “I’m every day playing catch with it, it’s hot here - that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Tampa Bay hung on to win for the third time in four games,but after the game Maddon was more concerned about a possible stain on Peralta’s reputation, and he said he believed the ejection would cause players on other teams to change their practices.
“I promise you one thing,” Maddon said, “you’re going to see brand-new gloves throughout the major leagues starting [Wednesday] with pitchers on every major league ball club.” Horse play
A group including New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Breesclaimed a race horse Sunday that was previously part-owned by Los Angles Lakers players Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
Wrote Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind.: “So, once again, the Saints find a way to own the colts.” Watch and learn
Greg Cote of The Miami Herald, after French Open champ Rafael Nadal reported a $347,000 watch stolen from his Paris hotel room: “If I’m spending $347,000 for a watch, it had better be able to turn back the hands of time.” Doggy treat
CBS/Golf Channel analyst David Feherty, describing an errant tee shot: “That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.” Headlines
From the satirical web site sportspickle.com:
“Miami Heat pull within one win of giving us constant New York Jets coverage”
“R.A. Dickey caught on mound with wiffle ball.”
“LaDainian Tomlinson curiously chooses to retire on a Norv Turner-coached team”Quote of the day “It’s a possibility, but I wouldn’t put my whole
bank account on it.” Athletic Director Lonza Hardy on the chances the postseason ban handed down to UAPB’s men’s basketball team because of its low APR score will be overturned
Sports, Pages 20 on 06/21/2012