The George Brett Pine Tar Incident

**D Mac** · 01-25-2006, 02:06 AM

Anyone know where I could download or watch a clip?

Feel free to post your thoughts about this historic incident, either way.

**D Mac** · 01-25-2006, 02:31 AM

**toxic rooster** · 01-25-2006, 05:22 AM

Brett had injuries on-and-off for the next four years, during which his most noteworthy achievement was the notorious "Pine Tar Incident." On July 24, 1983, the Royals were playing the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. In the top of the ninth inning, Brett came up to bat against Goose Gossage, his old rival. Brett hit a two-run homer, putting the Royals up 5-4. After Brett rounded the bases, Yankees manager Billy Martin (at the suggestion of his third baseman Graig Nettles) came out of the dugout and used home plate to measure the amount of pine tar on Brett's bat, citing an obscure rule that stated the pine tar on a bat could extend no further than 18 inches. Brett's pine tar extended about 24 inches.
"I've never seen this," said sportscaster and ex-Yankee Bobby Murcer on WPIX as he watched McClelland measure the bat across the plate. "I never have either," said Murcer's partner, Frank Messer. A few moments later, the home plate umpire, Tim McClelland, signalled Brett out.
The normally mild-mannered Brett charged out of the dugout, enraged, and was immediately ejected. An incredulous Messer:
Look at this!...He is out, and having to be forcibly restrained from hitting plate umpire Tim McClelland. And the Yankees have won the ball game 4 to 3!
The Royals protested the game, and their protest was upheld by AL president (and former Yankees chief executive) Lee McPhail, who ruled that the bat was not "altered to improve the distance factor", and that the rules only provided for removal of the bat from the game, and not calling the batter out. The game was replayed, starting after Brett's homer. Billy Martin had one last trick up his sleeve, appealing the play before, saying the umpires had no way of knowing Brett had touched all the bases. The umpires produced affidavits saying he had. The game had virtually no effect on 1983's pennant race, but was in many ways the closing chapter on a heated rivalry.

**D Mac** · 01-25-2006, 05:26 AM

Famous "Pine Tar Bat" used by future Hall of Famer George Brett on July 24, 1983. The bat is stained with pine tar and is inscribed with the words "This is The Pine Tar Bat - 7-24-83."

**punt** · 01-25-2006, 09:53 PM

I love to watch him coming out of the dugout with arms flailing. He should have won an Academy Award for that act.

On a different note, I found a book at my uncles house a few years back that Brett wrote during the height of his career - "George Brett: The Art of Hitting 400". Even though I think the most he hit was 386? it was a good little book. It had freeze frames of his swing - I was amazed that, at the very end of his swing, he was still looking straight down at the plate.

**Loose Cannon** · 01-25-2006, 09:54 PM

you're starting to sound like poster Red Hott Scott.

**punt** · 01-25-2006, 10:15 PM

I am not sure what that means?

**D Mac** · 01-26-2006, 01:59 AM

I searched every google page and not one damn video clip? WTF?

**punt** · 01-26-2006, 02:02 PM

The only one I found was

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/ba..._072483_kcrnyy

If you click on the top of the 6th, you can view it for a minimal price. I can't find anything for free.

01-25-2006, 02:06 AM	#1
D Mac Posts: 21,603	The George Brett Pine Tar Incident Anyone know where I could download or watch a clip? Feel free to post your thoughts about this historic incident, either way. Last edited by D Mac; 01-25-2006 at 04:50 AM.

01-25-2006, 05:22 AM	#3
toxic rooster adjective noun Posts: 30,417	Brett had injuries on-and-off for the next four years, during which his most noteworthy achievement was the notorious "Pine Tar Incident." On July 24, 1983, the Royals were playing the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. In the top of the ninth inning, Brett came up to bat against Goose Gossage, his old rival. Brett hit a two-run homer, putting the Royals up 5-4. After Brett rounded the bases, Yankees manager Billy Martin (at the suggestion of his third baseman Graig Nettles) came out of the dugout and used home plate to measure the amount of pine tar on Brett's bat, citing an obscure rule that stated the pine tar on a bat could extend no further than 18 inches. Brett's pine tar extended about 24 inches. "I've never seen this," said sportscaster and ex-Yankee Bobby Murcer on WPIX as he watched McClelland measure the bat across the plate. "I never have either," said Murcer's partner, Frank Messer. A few moments later, the home plate umpire, Tim McClelland, signalled Brett out. The normally mild-mannered Brett charged out of the dugout, enraged, and was immediately ejected. An incredulous Messer: Look at this!...He is out, and having to be forcibly restrained from hitting plate umpire Tim McClelland. And the Yankees have won the ball game 4 to 3! The Royals protested the game, and their protest was upheld by AL president (and former Yankees chief executive) Lee McPhail, who ruled that the bat was not "altered to improve the distance factor", and that the rules only provided for removal of the bat from the game, and not calling the batter out. The game was replayed, starting after Brett's homer. Billy Martin had one last trick up his sleeve, appealing the play before, saying the umpires had no way of knowing Brett had touched all the bases. The umpires produced affidavits saying he had. The game had virtually no effect on 1983's pennant race, but was in many ways the closing chapter on a heated rivalry.

01-25-2006, 05:26 AM	#4
D Mac Posts: 21,603	Famous "Pine Tar Bat" used by future Hall of Famer George Brett on July 24, 1983. The bat is stained with pine tar and is inscribed with the words "This is The Pine Tar Bat - 7-24-83."

01-25-2006, 09:53 PM	#5
punt Lynn Swann for Gov! Posts: 619	I love to watch him coming out of the dugout with arms flailing. He should have won an Academy Award for that act. On a different note, I found a book at my uncles house a few years back that Brett wrote during the height of his career - "George Brett: The Art of Hitting 400". Even though I think the most he hit was 386? it was a good little book. It had freeze frames of his swing - I was amazed that, at the very end of his swing, he was still looking straight down at the plate.

01-25-2006, 09:54 PM	#6
Loose Cannon I'm all there is Posts: 31,811	you're starting to sound like poster Red Hott Scott.

01-25-2006, 10:15 PM	#7
punt Lynn Swann for Gov! Posts: 619	I am not sure what that means?

01-26-2006, 01:59 AM	#8
D Mac Posts: 21,603	I searched every google page and not one damn video clip? WTF?

01-26-2006, 02:02 PM	#9
punt Lynn Swann for Gov! Posts: 619	The only one I found was http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/ba..._072483_kcrnyy If you click on the top of the 6th, you can view it for a minimal price. I can't find anything for free.