Silver Anniversary

Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, Tim McClelland called George Brett 'out' for having too much pine tar on his bat. If all you knew about the two men came from the famous highlight clip of Brett going berserk, you'd be surprised to know that McClelland regards Brett as one of his favorites in 26 years as an umpire.

Before games in KC, Brett would pop his head into the umipres room, flash a grin, and say, "I just wanted you to know that we're all pulling for you, and, good luck tonight.'' Five years ago, it was Brett who reminded McClelland that it was their 20th anniversary. "Wherever you are, give me a call,'' Brett told him. "We'll have a beer together.''

It was great that McClelland gave us a few minutes this morning on his recollections on the 'Pine Tar Game,' during his rookie season. But McClelland's greatest Yankee Stadium highlight was the day in 1998 when he was behind the plate for David Wells' perfect game.

"One of my top two moments,'' as an umpire, he said. That, and his first game working the plate in the World Series, Game 5, 1993, the game before Joe Carter won it all (McClelland was in RF). Still, "I do get flashbacks (of the Pine Tar Game) whenever I come to this ballpark.'' Because it's so frequently shown, "it's always fresh in my mind.''

Here's what you didn't see: The Royals tried to steal the bat back, starting with then-KC pitcher Gaylord Perry. "The man of foreign substance that he is..twisted it out of my hands,'' McClelland said. Then, coach Rocky Colavito grabbed it, "and held it up over his head like he was going to hit me with it.''

That's when McClelland and veteran ump Joe Brinkman gave chase. "We got the bat from a security guard.'' Now, it's in the Hall of Fame.