Brett’s Reaction to the Pine Tar Ruling
Of course, Brett was not happy with the umpires’ ruling. The rookie home plate umpire, Tim McClelland searched for Brett in the visitors’ dugout, pointed at him with the bat, and signaled that he was ejected from the game. Brett’s home run was invalid, and he was ejected from the game for hitting an illegally batted ball.
Royals’ George Brett charges at umpire Tim McClelland (R) who is holding his bat, after the umpires ruled the bat illegal nullifying his two-run homer in the ninth inning of game 7/24. At left is Royals manager Dick Howser. The Yankees won 4-3.
An enraged Brett stormed out of the dugout to confront McClelland and had to be physically restrained by his manager Dick Howser, several of his teammates and umpire Joe Brinkman. Despite the furious protests of Brett and Howser, McClelland’s ruling stood. As Brett was the third out in the ninth inning with the home team in the lead, the game ended with a Yankees win.