The Pine Tar Game: The Kansas City Royals, the New York Yankees, and Baseball's Most Absurd and Entertaining Controversy
$17.37
Description
Book Synopsis: An award-winning veteran sportswriter who personally covered the Pine Tar Game looks back and explores one of the wackiest events in baseball history.
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.
Details
The Pine Tar Game: The Kansas City Royals, the New York Yankees, and Baseball's Most Absurd and Entertaining Controversy
Experience the riveting tale of the Pine Tar Game, one of the most bizarre events in baseball history! This award-winning book takes you back to July 24, 1983, when the New York Yankees clashed with the Kansas City Royals in a series filled with tension. Witness the moment when an illegal amount of pine tar on George Brett's bat led to chaos on the field, shaking the foundations of the sport.
In The Pine Tar Game, acclaimed sportswriter Filip Bondy skillfully unravels the layers of this extraordinary game. Discover the clash between two diametrically opposed owners, George Steinbrenner and Ewing Kauffman, and the unforgettable cast of characters, including Billy Martin, Goose Gossage, Willie Randolph, and more. Their insights and anecdotes bring this captivating rivalry to life, giving you a front-row seat to one of the most iconic baseball tantrums ever.
But this book goes beyond a single game. The Pine Tar Game captures the essence of a bygone era, when baseball was filled with innocence and unpredictability. It delves into the shifting landscape of the sport, uncovering the rise of labor struggles, soaring salaries, and the notorious use of performance-enhancing drugs. Bondy paints a vivid picture of the time and explores how this pivotal moment shaped the modern iteration of baseball we know today.
Don't miss out on this gripping tale that combines sports history, drama, and a touch of absurdity. Take a journey back to a time when baseball was raw and unfiltered. Grab your copy of The Pine Tar Game now and experience the excitement that still surrounds this legendary controversy.
Click here to get your hands on The Pine Tar Game: The Kansas City Royals, the New York Yankees, and Baseball's Most Absurd and Entertaining Controversy and relive this unforgettable chapter in baseball lore!
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