Quote:This all reminds me of the "Pine Tar Incident". It was something that was technically against the rules, but everybody did it and nobody worried about it. That is until Billy Martin brought the rule to the Umpires' attention because that rule, in that situation, would help him win that game...

 

Now both teams will have to play with properly inflated footballs. I'm guessing both teams are practicing with them now.

 

Not really though... here is from the 25 anniversary story on the pine tar bat incident...

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/sports....html?_r=0

 

 

“When the rule was originally made, it was actually for the protection of the hitter, because if the pine tar would get on the ball, then the pitcher could grip the ball better and snap off curves and stuff like that,” McClelland said. “So, really, it’s kind of funny how the rule was made for the protection of the hitter, but the penalty was on the hitter.”

 

Really what the Patriots did is more like all the junk balling Gaylord Perry did throughout his career.  So I will moniker Mr Brady..  Tom "Gaylord" Brady

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