The Pine Tar Incident is one of the most memorable controversies in Major League Baseball history. It took place on July 24, 1983, during a game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The incident revolved around a home run hit by George Brett of the Royals, which was initially nullified due to excessive pine tar on his bat. This decision led to a heated protest and a subsequent reversal that has been discussed
for decades.
The Incident Unfolds
During the game, the Yankees were leading 4-3 in the ninth inning when George Brett hit a two-run home run, giving the Royals a 5-4 lead. However, Yankees manager Billy Martin noticed that Brett's bat had an excessive amount of pine tar, a sticky substance used to improve grip. According to baseball rules, pine tar could not extend more than 18 inches from the handle of the bat. Martin challenged the home run, and the umpires agreed, declaring Brett's bat illegal and nullifying the home run.
The decision sparked immediate outrage from Brett and the Royals. Brett famously charged out of the dugout in a fit of anger, creating a scene that has been replayed countless times in baseball lore. The Royals protested the game, arguing that the rule was intended to prevent balls from being discolored, not to affect the outcome of a game.
The Reversal and Resumption
Four days after the incident, American League president Lee MacPhail upheld the Royals' protest. MacPhail ruled that the spirit of the pine tar rule was not to give a competitive advantage but to prevent economic waste by discoloring baseballs. He determined that Brett's home run should count, and the game was ordered to resume from the point of Brett's home run with the Royals leading 5-4.
The game resumed on August 18, 1983, with the Royals ultimately winning. However, the resumption was unusual, as it took place in an empty Yankee Stadium, with only a few players and officials present. The decision to resume the game and the manner in which it was done added another layer of intrigue to the incident.
Legacy and Impact
The Pine Tar Incident left a lasting impact on baseball. It led to a clarification of the rules regarding the use of pine tar, ensuring that future disputes could be avoided. The bat used by Brett during the incident became a piece of baseball history, eventually finding its place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The incident also highlighted the strategic maneuvering within the game, as Martin had reportedly been aware of Brett's bat for some time but waited for the right moment to challenge it. This strategic element, combined with the dramatic on-field reactions, has kept the Pine Tar Incident alive in the memories of baseball fans and historians alike.
