Life, Missouri History Today
Missouri History Today July 24, 1983: George Brett’s “pine tar” game becomes legendary.
The moment George Brett charged out of the dugout will be forever etched in the minds of baseball fans. Brett just hit a two-run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the ninth inning to give the Royals the lead. The Yankees challenged the play, claiming the slugger had used too much pine tar on his bat.
The umpires ruled Brett had violated the rule and called him out. Brett ran onto the field for a heated exchange with the officiating crew. The Yankees won, until the Royals protested the decision.
The American League president agreed with the Royals and ordered the game to be finished from the point of Brett’s home run. This time, the Royals won, 5-4, 25 days after the original at-bat.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
Photo credit: Briana Tozour, Unsplash
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Missouri Life
