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Pine tar incident
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Pine tar incident

baseball controversy, 1983
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Quick Summary

The "Pine Tar Incident" in baseball occurred on July 24, 1983, involving George Brett of the Kansas City Royals and Goose Gossage of the New York Yankees. After Brett hit a go-ahead two-run home run, Yankees manager Billy Martin argued that Brett's bat had too much pine tar on it, which is a violation of a hyper-technical rule. Umpire Tim McClelland initially disallowed the home run, leading to an enraged Brett charging out of the dugout.1

The game was won by the Yankees, but the Royals protested. American League president Lee MacPhail reversed the call, ordering the game to resume from the point of the infraction. The Royals then secured their victory. Pine tar itself is a tar obtained from pinewood, used in various applications like roofing and soaps.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. George Brett
  2. pine tar

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