This infamous moment in MLB history will always be remembered for its dramatic flair and controversial nature.
It’s the top of the ninth inning, two outs, and a man on first base. The New York Yankees are leading the Kansas City Royals by a score of 4-3, a game amplified by the teams’ rivalry spanning the past decade. Royals third baseman George Brett is batting against Yankees relief pitcher Goose Gossage, two future hall of famers going head-to-head.
George Brett hits a two-run home run to give the Royals a 5-4 lead. Under these circumstances alone, this becomes a highlight of the 1983 season, and a memorable moment in MLB history. But nobody expected that this moment would go from memorable to infamous in a matter of minutes.
As George Brett rounded the bases following his home run, Yankees manager Billy Martin pleaded with home plate umpire Tim McClelland to examine Brett’s bat for its use of pine tar. Pine tar was commonly used to help grip a bat, and is still used in the game today. The amount of pine tar is where the issue lied. Too much pine tar allows a player to grip a bat more lightly, which leads to more power upon contact. Martin believed that the bat did not align with MLB rules stating pine tar cannot persist passed 18 inches from the handle.
After minutes of deliberation from the umpires, an iconic scene unfolded. McClelland placed Brett’s bat on home plate to measure where the pine tar dissipated. While walking towards the Royals dugout, McClelland exchanged a few more words with his fellow umpires. He pointed at Brett with his own bat, and signaled the third baseman out.
Brett immediately went ballistic. He charged from the dugout to the umpire, swinging his arms randomly. He was held back by teammates and umpires alike, along with Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles.
The story didn’t end here. The Royals went on to file a complaint with the American League, and 26 days after the incident occurred, the out was overturned. The Yankees faced the Royals in a four-out rematch, even though it could barely be called a rematch at all. Brett wasn’t eligible to play, but the Royals sealed the game without him. The Royals won 5-4, resolving the loose end of this moment in sports history.
