THE STORY
In Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series on October 9, 1996, at Yankee Stadium, 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over the right-field fence and deflected a fly ball, ruled a home run for the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter. This controversial call tied the game, leading to a Yankees victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles
WHY IT MATTERS
The incident sparked widespread debate over fan interference and umpire judgment, influencing future MLB policies on fan interactions during games.