GEORGE BRETT’S MEMORABLE PINE TAR UMPIRE ARGUMENT INCIDENT
The incident occurred during a game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. New York led going into the ninth before a two-run homer by George Brett gave Kansas a one-run advantage. At this point, Yankees manager Billy Martin took to the field to accuse Brett of having pine tar above the handle on his bat. After a brief inspection by the umpire crew, they concluded the pine tar to be excessive, the home run to be void, and counted Brett as out. New York held on to their lead for a one-run win.
The issue with pine tar above the handle is that the stickiness of the substance increases contact time and spin on the ball, allowing it to travel further than normal. Kansas City challenged the umpire crew’s decision and the game’s final outcome afterward. The league took their side and demanded the game to be replayed beginning at the point of Brett’s home run. This time Kansas City would hold on to the one-run lead for the win despite Brett (among others) absence during the replayed inning.