Quar-Tar Century

Just a quick note that today marks 25 years since the infamous Pine Tar Game between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, in which George Brett - as a sportswriter quipped at the time - became the first player ever to hit a game-losing home run! I remember watching this game when it was actually occurring, and I don't think I've ever before - or since - seen anyone get quite as angry as Brett did. At someone who isn't their teenage child, I mean of course.

The overly sticky bat that Brett used is now enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, as is the man himself - deservedly so. Lifelong Yankee fan that I am, in this case I couldn't in good conscience root for Billy Martin's shenanigans to pay off. And the baseball powers that be agreed, making this incident fairly unique in another way - reversal by League officials of an umpire's decision on the field.

Hard to believe it was that long ago!