Game 2 of the 1998 ALCS between the Indians and Yankees went deep into extras, all tied in the bottom of the 12th. Jim Thome led off with a single but was immediately lifted for pinch-runner Enrique Wilson. Travis Fryman came up next, showed no signs of bunting, then surprised everyone and dropped one down. Tino Martinez charged from first and tried to make the play, but his throw hit Wilson in the back as he ran to second. The ball bounced away, and chaos followed. Wilson got up, rounded third, and scored. Meanwhile, Chuck Knobloch pointed for interference instead of chasing the ball, allowing even more base advancement.
Joe Torre came storming out, arguing the runner interfered by being inside the baseline. The umpires huddled and stuck with the safe call. The ruling hinged on a judgment about Wilson’s final step to second—when a runner has every right to be in the baseline. The umps said no interference, so the play stood. The Yankees dropped this one and lost the next game, too, trailing 2-1 in the series. But they came back to win the series and eventually the World Series. Still, Knobloch caught heat, especially since he appeared to be blowing a bubble during the mix-up, making it look like he tuned out at the worst moment. Weird play, bad timing, and a rough look for the Yanks.