During a closely contested game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, George Brett stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth inning. With the Royals trailing, he hit a two-run home run that gave Kansas City a lead, seemingly securing a victory. However, Yankees manager Billy Martin disputed the home run, claiming that Brett had used an illegal bat due to excessive pine tar on the handle. The umpires convened and ultimately ruled to disallow the home run based on the rules regarding the amount of pine tar permitted on a bat. This decision caused an immediate uproar, and Brett, furious at the ruling, charged out of the dugout to confront the umpires. The incident escalated as Brett animatedly argued with the officials, creating a memorable scene that would be replayed in sports highlight reels for years to come.

The game continued, but the fallout from the incident was far-reaching. After the game, the Royals management filed an appeal regarding the ruling. The decision was later overturned by American League President Lee MacPhail, reinstating Brett's home run and stating the original call was incorrect. This ruling made Brett's home run officially valid, thus highlighting the complexities of baseball rules and their enforcement. The event became known as the "Pine Tar Incident," and it cemented its place in baseball lore, representing more than just a game outcome but also a clash of rules and emotions in America's pastime.