Michael Pineda DUI: All Signs Point to Failure for Yankees Pitcher
August 20, 2012 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Michael Pineda’s arrest for DUI is just the latest misstep for the New York Yankees pitcher and is certainly the biggest one yet.
Here’s the details on Pineda’s arrest, per Dan Mangan of the New York Post:
Injured Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda was busted for DUI in Tampa, Fla., on a busy road early this morning after a cop spotted his speeding, “weaving” Nissan SUV driving without its headlights on, authorities said.
There have been nothing but negatives for the 23-year-old since joining the Bombers, and that started even before his season-ending injury.
Pineda began his Yankee career by coming into spring training overweight, and while just how many pounds overweight he truly was isn’t known, there’s no doubt it showed irresponsibility on his part.
Then, Pineda dodged the media after a spring workout. Pineda took one look at the incredible abundance of the New York media and went the other way. All of that after he promised to give them five minutes of his time.
That showed a level of immaturity that in and of itself proved Pineda wasn’t ready for the bright lights of the Big Apple.
Now, Pineda’s arrest for DUI shows extremely poor judgement. To drive under the influence of anything illegally is always a knucklehead move.
The more we uncover about Pineda, the more it appears he just isn’t ready to handle what’s coming. Being traded for a top prospect is one thing, but being that it’s the Yankees who pulled the trigger to bring Pineda to the Bronx is entirely another thing.
On top of that, Pineda will now have to face the media and answer questions about his arrest. This will only magnify the spotlight on a guy who clearly wants nothing to do with it. If he thought there was pressure to perform this season, just wait until he’s healthy and able to take the mound next season.
When a player comes to New York, you look for the intangibles and mental toughness more so than even talent because of the unmatched mental strain it takes to play in the biggest city in the U.S. As time continues to pass on Pineda’s tenure in the Bronx, it looks like he doesn’t have what it takes to be a Yankee.
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