1984 Reds-Cubs Home Run-Foul Controversy

In the bottom of the second inning of a scoreless game, with runners on 1st and 3rd, Cubs' third baseman Ron Cey hits a 1-1 pitch down the left field line and lands in the back of the stands in foul territory. 3rd base umpire Steve Rippley ruled the ball fair as it hooked around the foul pole for a home run, causing an argument from the Reds' defense. Cincinnati pitcher Mario Soto lost his cool and bumped the umpire and Reds' manager Vern Rapp argued himself and after a meeting with the rest of the umpires, the call was overturned to a foul ball, thus getting the Cubs' coaching staff to argue themselves.

Cubs' manager Jim Frey, first base coach John Vukovich, and third base coach Don Zimmer all were furious and would not accept the reversal. Frey was ejected, nearly causing a riot. Fans threw debris onto the field. The argument on the Cubs' behalf lasted a good 15 minutes and were not satisfied.

Soto later learned he had been tossed for bumping Steve Rippley and charged the field before being intercepted by Zimmer. This led to a bench-clearing brawl. After the smoke cleared, the umpires decided to stick with the overturned call and both teams protested. Cey would have to come back to the plate with the count now of 1-2, and on the next pitch off a new pitcher, hits a line drive to the shortstop for the first out of the inning. The Cubs went from possibly a 3-0 lead on a home run to Cey to a scoreless tie after two innings. Cincinnati would win the game 4-3, scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth off of new Cubs starter Dennis Eckersley.

The fan who caught the controversial home run-turned-foul ball call was summoned by the Cubs security to go to Cubs press box with Harry Caray and he told him that the ball was foul from his vantage point.

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