The Yankee Who Fowl-ed Out

⚾ The Great Toronto Seagull Incident of 1983

On August 4, 1983, New York Yankees outfielder Dave Winfield accidentally became a legend of bizarre sports history. During a warm-up session between innings at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, Winfield tossed a ball toward the dugout—only to have it strike and kill a stray seagull that was resting on the turf.

The Arrest: In an incredible display of over-policing, the Ontario Provincial Police actually arrested Winfield after the game for "cruelty to animals." The future Hall of Famer was taken to a local precinct and had to post a $500 bond to be released.

The Comedy: While the charges were quickly dropped the next morning, the reactions were pure gold. At the next game, Blue Jays fans showed up wearing white sheets as "bird shields." Meanwhile, Yankees manager Billy Martin couldn’t resist a dig at his own player, famously telling reporters: "It's the first time he's hit the cutoff man all season!"

Historical Legacy: Winfield eventually won over the city of Toronto by joining the Blue Jays and helping them win the 1992 World Series. It seems all was forgiven—at least by the humans. The seagulls, however, have not been reached for comment.