MLB History: The 30 most controversial scandals

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds (C) is flanked by security guards as he leaves federal court following a sentencing hearing on December 16, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Bonds was sentenced to 30 days of home confinement and two years probation after a jury found him guilty on one count of obstruction of justice and was a hung jury on three counts of perjury for lying to a grand jury about his use of performance enhancing drugs. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds (C) is flanked by security guards as he leaves federal court following a sentencing hearing on December 16, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Bonds was sentenced to 30 days of home confinement and two years probation after a jury found him guilty on one count of obstruction of justice and was a hung jury on three counts of perjury for lying to a grand jury about his use of performance enhancing drugs. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers Lowrance/Getty Images)

Most controversial scandals in MLB history: #28. Kenny Rogers, was it pine tar or not?

Without question, the biggest stage in Major League Baseball comes in the World Series. As two teams battle it out all year to make it to the finals, the baseball world watches extremely closely.

The Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals put it all on the line in 2006. Although everything appeared to be on an even playing field, the cameras in the ballpark noticed something a bit odd on the hand of Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers. By all accounts, it appeared as though the long-time pitcher was using pine tar, a banned substance used to give pitchers an unfair grip on the ball.

Believing they had all of the evidence they needed, the Cardinals brought light to the situation. After a close examination, umpires ruled that it was simply dirt, not pine tar. While the Tigers were cleared of any accusations, it was still considered a major controversy.

To further buffer their argument, the Tigers lost every game of that series outside of, ironically enough, the one game Rogers played in. If the Tigers found a way to win that series, this controversy would be more mentioned today. However, considering how badly they were blown out outside of that one game, this entire situation was swept under the rug.