It's been a while, but K.C. still loves itself some pine tar

Killing time in the hours leading up to gametime is often carried out, in Major League clubhouses, by watching television.

If they're not watching movies, players may opt to view baseball games. Some are live. Other games are historic, shown on specialized sports networks.

There is really no better way to hold a ballplayer's attention than to show the Royals-Yankees contest from July 23, 1983.

This game is more fun to watch when you know the outcome. It's all about the buildup to the ninth inning, of course. Rookie umpire Tim McClelland agreed that George Brett did indeed have pine tar too far up the barrel of his bat, as Yankees skipper Billy Martin argued. McClelland negated Brett's go-ahead home run.

And Brett absolutely lost his mind.

Turns out, that moment sits comfortably in history as one of baseball's best meltdowns. It's also probably near the top of the list of unforgettable moments a player himself would probably like to forget (second only to Nolan Ryan's unfortunate pummeling of Robin Ventura's noggin - not one of Ryan's prouder moments).

Nonetheless, history is history, and thanks to the All-Star Game's presence in Kansas City this week, Brett's outburst is proudly displayed several places at the Kansas City Convention Center. FanFest mania has swept through this fabulous Midwestern town, and no one is more prominent than the Royals' only Hall of Famer.

Sure, there are more Brett moments spotlighted than just the Pine Tar Game. There's the good (Brett's 3,000th hit) and the really good (his 1999 induction to the Hall of Fame). But there is also a place for the hilariously good, and while Brett wasn't laughing that day at Yankee Stadium back in '83, here's betting he has a good chuckle over those images now.
 

-- Alyson Footer