On July 24, 1983, during the finale of a heated four-game series between the dynastic New York Yankees and small-town Kansas City Royals, umpires nullified a go-ahead home run based on an obscure rule, when Yankees manager Billy Martin pointed out an illegal amount of pine tar—the sticky substance used for a better grip—on Royals third baseman George Brett’s bat. Brett wildly charged out of the dugout and chaos ensued. The call temporarily cost the Royals the game, but the decision was eventually overturned, resulting in a resumption of the game several weeks later that created its own hysteria.
The Pine Tar Game chronicles this watershed moment, marking a pivot in the sport, when benign cheating tactics, like spitballs, Superball bats, and a couple extra inches of tar on an ash bat, gave way to era of soaring salaries, labor struggles, and rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs. Filip Bondy paints a portrait of the Yankees and Royals of that era, featuring two diametrically opposed owners, in George Steinbrenner and Ewing Kauffman; a host of bad actors and phenomenal athletes; and lots of yelling. Players and club officials like Brett, Goose Gossage, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry, Sparky Lyle, David Cone, and John Schuerholz offer fresh commentary on the events along with their take on a rivalry that culminated in one of the most iconic baseball tantrums of all time. Rush Limbaugh, employed by the Royals at the time as a promotions director, offers his own insider’s perspective. Through this one fateful game, the ensuing protest, and ultimate fallout, The Pine Tar Game examines a more innocent time in professional sports, as well as the shifting tide that gave us today’s modern iteration of baseball.
HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is one baseball book that I should have passed on. First about the game and the players I did not learn anything that I did not already know. What I did like about the book was the story of the rivalry between the two teams from the mid 70’s to early 80’s, and for me this really is the story. If not for this intense rivalry Billy Martin would have never challenged the bat used by Brett. Though the ruling was overturned later and the Royals would win the game, this really was Billy Martin Being him. Always looking to get into an opponent’s head, and if it didn’t work he sure got George Brett riled because I remember watching that game and Brett flying out of the dugout. Really the only time I remember him losing his cool. Not a bad book for those who have only heard about the story. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 3 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
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