I always respected the grit and toughness of Brett like I did with Rose, Pinella, McRae, Fisk, Rice and Lopes. Those Players came to play the Playoffs like it was a War!!!
Those playoff series in1976.1977 & 1978 were the best ever. [Let's forget 1980]. Better rivalry than Yankees, Red Sox. Hard fought by both teams who respected each other. Yankees & Royals had some 'hard ass' players.
You know, when that happened I thought it was a cheap call. Now, looking back on it, why were there so much pine tar that high up on the bat? I still have not seen a replay of where the ball actually struck the bat. If it didn’t contact the pine tar what difference did it make.
I believe the pine tar rule was there to prevent the tar from getting on the ball if placed too high. It could be assumed that the pitchers were doctoring the ball if regularly scuffed.
Nettles kick was subtle and not very hard. Brett threw a haymaker right hand in response. Ridiculous that Brett wasn't tossed for starting that brawl. Anyone else, and they're gone. Umps were gutless
The Yankees had a rivalry with at least three teams that I can remember during this time. The Royals, The Red Sox of course, and The Dodgers. They beat all three of them in dramatic fashion. The Royals in 76 (Chambliss), The Dodgers in 77 (Reggie), and The Red Sox in 78 (Bucky Dent.)
Another big rivalry, I think a little more than the Red Sox (at that time) were the Orioles. Those two went tooth and nail for a few years running, and as a Yankee fan then, they put a fear in you when they played each other, because you knew they were a team that was as every bit as good as the Yankees were.
