George Brett Pine Tar Incident

Date of Event: July 24, 1983

On July 24, 1983, George Brett of the Royals hit a home run off Yankees’ pitcher, Goose Gossage. Yankees manager, Billy Martin, insisted Brett put pine tar more than 18 inches from the nob of the bat, making it illegal. The umpires used home plate which is 17 inches wide to calibrate, and Brett was called out. When the Royals protested, American League president, Lee MacPhail, over ruled the call.