Thursday, July 24, 2008

RIbbie Reporter -- July 24 and baseball history

I apologize for being absent for the last week or two. But while I don't have game updates for you, I hope you enjoy a note on this date in baseball history.
1983 -- George Brett hits the pine tar homer in Yankees Stadium and then attempts to kill the umpire with his bare hands after Billy Martin is called out. I don't know who that umpire was, but he was one brave guy to stand his ground while a completely insane looking person ran straight at him. And I noticed that this was voted one of the 10 greatest plays in Yankees Stadium history.
(Can you believe that happened 25 years ago?).

But on a more recent note:
2004 -- Jason Varitek rearranges A-Rod's face with his catcher's mitt after Bronson Arroyo hits A-Rod with a pitch. The Sox -- energized by this -- will go on to beat the Yankees in the ALCS, where A-Rod is reduced to slapping at Arroyo like a little old lady. His confidence shattered, A-Rod will eventually look to get his groove back four years later by leaving his wife and taking up with Madonna.

I hope you've enjoyed your baseball history update.

1 comment:

Greg Jacobs said...

The umpire was Tim McClelland. He's 6'6", which probably helped him stand his ground.

Interestingly, Mr. McClelland also ejected Sammy Sosa for a corked bat in 2003.