Smudged-up series

Just when it seemed relative peace was settling in over baseball, Kenny Rogers goes and screws things up.

Baseball players and executives finally reach a deal BEFORE the current labor agreement expires and, on the same day, Rogers is caught with a mystery substance on his pitching hand. Great timing, Kenny.

Now instead of marveling at an October run matched by only one or two pitchers ever (23 straight scoreless innings pitchted), fans are again wondering how long this latest black cloud will hang over the game.

As for Rogers' performance, forget the substance. The left-hander was just as good -- if not better -- from the second inning on, after he washed his hands of the mystery substance.