When George Brett hits a home run against the New York Yankees that’s off due to a bat violation, chaos ensues in one of baseball’s most infamous incidents
On July 24, 1983, Kansas City Royals star George Brett hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the 9th inning against the New York Yankees. However, Yankees manager Billy Martin pointed out that pine tar on Brett’s bat exceeded the legal 18-inch limit. Umpires nullified the home run and called Brett out, sparking an iconic, furious on-field meltdown.
With the Royals trailing 4–3 with two outs in the top of the ninth, Brett homered off Yankees closer Rich “Goose” Gossage. When the ball cleared the fence, Billy Martin alerted home plate umpire Tim McClelland about the pine tar.
McClelland measured the bat using home plate as a gauge and found that the pine tar substance extended past the allowed 18 inches from the handle. He signaled Brett out, ending the game with a 4–3 Yankees victory. Upon seeing the call, an incandescently furious Brett charged out of the dugout, screaming and having to be physically restrained from charging the umpires
