30 Years ago, George Brett's pine tar bat

[pmull]

It has been 30 years since the Pine Tar Game with the Royals and Yankees. I remember this like it was yesterday. I enjoyed reading this article on one of baseball most controversial calls. What a trouble maker old Billy Martin was.

On July 24, 1983, an otherwise forgettable game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium earned a permanent place in baseball lore because of what transpired in the top of the ninth inning. The Royals trailed the Yankees 4-3 with two outs when star third baseman George Brett hit a home run to rightfield off Yankees closer Goose Gossage.

That in itself was not particularly noteworthy, but what followed certainly was. Even before Brett touched home plate, Yankees manager Billy Martin was out of the dugout ordering the umpires to inspect Brett’s bat for excessive pine tar. The umpires determined that the bat did in fact exceed the allowable 18-inch limit, and concluded that Brett had used an illegal bat. He was ejected and his hit nullified, ending the game. Temporarily, it turned out.

 Click here for link

[Jamos]

I was watching the game when it happened, Brett went absolutely ballistic.

[2Stater]

I was watching the game when it happened, Brett went absolutely ballistic.

I see that replayed quite a bit, even today. A lot of people will only remember George Brett for that incident. They don't realize what a great ball player he was. I don't think KC has done squat since he retired.

He has, however, returned to KC as their batting coach and the Royals have been playing better ball since he took the job.

[Jamos]

Pine tar and spitballs were the two things that I remember most in that era of baseball. When I say spitballs, I'm referencing to any of the ways that pitchers would try and doctor the ball before pitching it. I enjoyed watching the game much more back then than I do today.

[bamaphil]

I was only two years old when this happened so I didn't see it when it happened, but growing up as a huge baseball fan in the 80's and early 90's I saw this video played all the time.  Great memory.

And I agree with Jamos that the game was just better back then.

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

I've seen and heard about this all my life, but I'm too young to remember it.

I'd never heard the complete story of what happened with the ruling until I did a lot of reading on the topic a couple years ago.  I'm not sure if the story you linked includes it, but the American League office overturned the ruling and the home run was "reinstated" and the game was picked up at a later date from that point.  

Now here's the funniest part of the entire spectacle to me - Billy Martin got thrown out of the continuation game before it even started.  He came out and appealed Brett's home run saying he didn't touch first.  The umps denied the appeal.  He did the same at second and third, and proceeded to tell the umps that they had no right to deny his appeals because they weren't even at the previous game to know if Brett touched the bases or not.  Anyway, he pitched a fit long enough to get tossed before the first pitch was thrown to the next batter following Brett.

[pmull]

Baseball was much better back then. Players made good money but they were not millionaires. They played not just for the money but the love of the game. Coaches like Billy Martin and Owners like Charlie Finley added to the fun. Things are different today and not for the better IMO.

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

Baseball was much better back then. Players made good money but they were not millionaires. They played not just for the money but the love of the game. Coaches like Billy Martin and Owners like Charlie Finley added to the fun. Things are different today and not for the better IMO.

I actually think baseball is on the way up right now.  Players are coming out and speaking against the PEDs, and there has been a real influx of young talent who also work very hard.  The amazing defensive plays are at an all time high (although there are probably more errors on routine plays than "the good old days").

[ricky023]

Baseball was much better back then. Players made good money but they were not millionaires. They played not just for the money but the love of the game. Coaches like Billy Martin and Owners like Charlie Finley added to the fun. Things are different today and not for the better IMO.

I actually think baseball is on the way up right now.  Players are coming out and speaking against the PEDs, and there has been a real influx of young talent who also work very hard.  The amazing defensive plays are at an all time high (although there are probably more errors on routine plays than "the good old days").

I agree with pmull. The things like last night with the Mets player running to Hudson to check him, this is seen much anymore. I believe if our young players could see the big boys doing this they will fall in order instead of having such a hate for the other team. JMHO. RTR!

[cbbama99]

Pine tar and spitballs were the two things that I remember most in that era of baseball. When I say spitballs, I'm referencing to any of the ways that pitchers would try and doctor the ball before pitching it. I enjoyed watching the game much more back then than I do today.

You know, I understand that pine tar and spit (or whatever other substance) were cheating, but somehow in my mind (and this may or may not be true) the use of PEDs seems much worse than simply spitting on a baseball. It may not be, but I guess it is just my perception. And by the way, George's blowup was one of the best arguments in the history of sports.

[Jamos]

Pine tar and spitballs were the two things that I remember most in that era of baseball. When I say spitballs, I'm referencing to any of the ways that pitchers would try and doctor the ball before pitching it. I enjoyed watching the game much more back then than I do today.

You know, I understand that pine tar and spit (or whatever other substance) were cheating, but somehow in my mind (and this may or may not be true) the use of PEDs seems much worse than simply spitting on a baseball. It may not be, but I guess it is just my perception. And by the way, George's blowup was one of the best arguments in the history of sports.

I agree.

[Jamos]

By the way, the Tuscaloosa News had an article today that Brett is longer the batting coach and has returned to his front office job. He had agreed to do the coaching job for one month but stayed on for 2 months.

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