MLB
OTD 1983: George Brett Pine Tar Home Run Incident
July 24, 1983: George Brett's lead-changing home run was nullified after the Yankees accused him of using excessive pine tar on his bat
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Baseball players in the MLB are afforded the ability to apply certain substances in specific quantities on their bats or hands in the interest of player safety. The substances are meant to provide players with a better grip on the ball or their bat. The rules and regulations about these substances are very specific. Pitchers can use rosin for grip, batters can use pine tar, but only on the bat’s handle. Enforcement of these rules occasionally leads to controversy, such as the infamous Pine Tar Incident of 1983.
July 24, 1983: The Pine Tar Incident at Yankee Stadium involving George Brett being ruled out after a go-ahead 9th inning Home Run since his bat had too much pine tar on it, where he then stormed out of the dugout toward the umps in anger and was ejected
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 24, 2021
https://t.co/NG9Dxs8bc1
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.
July 24, 1983: The Pine Tar Incident at Yankee Stadium involving George Brett being ruled out after a go-ahead 9th inning Home Run since his bat had too much pine tar on it, where he then stormed out of the dugout toward the umps in anger and was ejected
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 24, 2021
https://t.co/NG9Dxs8bc1
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