The Day Brett Lost His Grip

This article recalls the 25th anniversary of George Brett's famous pine-tarred bat incident in a game against the New York Yankees played in New York on July 24, 1983. Brett faced relief pitcher Goose Gossage and hit a home run which the Yankees contested because he had too much pine tar extending up his bat. Brett rushed out on the field, and a general melee followed with the umpire calling Brett out. Both Gossage and Brett recall the day, especially those parts of the incident which seem funny now. "Of course, the postscript to the incident is that American League President Lee MacPhail said that while Brett's bat was technically illegal, calling him out for it was not in the spirit of the rule. So the game was replayed on Aug. 18 from the point of Brett's home run, but without Brett, 'for some reason, they kicked me out,' he jokes."