Overview of The Real Fleetwood Mac - Snap Classic
This episode of Snap Judgment explores two stories about identity, performance, and the consequences of “faking it.” The first follows a little-known, temporary version of Fleetwood Mac that toured the U.S. without Mick Fleetwood, only to be branded a fraudulent band and dragged through lawsuits and bad press. The second shifts to Yankee Stadium, where a teenage batboy’s split-second choice during the famous 1983 Pine Tar Game helped turn a routine baseball moment into legend.
The “Real” Fleetwood Mac Story
How the fake-out began
- In 1974, promoter Rich Engler was told Fleetwood Mac wanted to open their U.S. tour in Pittsburgh.
- But when showtime arrived, none of the original members were there—at least not the ones the crowd expected.
- The band on stage was a new lineup assembled by Mick Fleetwood himself while he was emotionally unraveling and taking time away from the group.
Mick Fleetwood’s temporary replacement plan
- Mick had approached Elmer Gantry and guitarist Kirby Gregory in London to help form a new Fleetwood Mac lineup.
- The plan was for them to rehearse, recruit musicians, and tour the U.S. while Mick supposedly dealt with personal issues.
- Elmer and Kirby believed they were being recruited into a legitimate next phase of the band.
The Pittsburgh show and the deception
- When Rich saw a group of unknown musicians walk in, he realized they were not the Fleetwood Mac he had booked.
- The manager insisted: this was Fleetwood Mac “as it is today.”
- Rich was furious, nearly came to blows with the manager, and then watched the band go on anyway.
Tour fallout and public backlash
- The “new” Fleetwood Mac actually played well and won over many audiences at first.
- But Mick Fleetwood never showed, and the press began attacking them as impostors.
- Headlines questioned whether they were the “real” Fleetwood Mac, and the band became a media punchline.
- Legal trouble followed, including lawsuits once the group returned to England.
What happened next
- The scandal damaged Elmer and Kirby’s careers in music.
- They later regrouped with former Fleetwood Mac manager Cliff Davis and formed the band Stretch.
- Their song “Why Did You Do It” became Elmer’s biggest hit and was widely understood as a response to the Fleetwood Mac debacle.
The Pine Tar Game Story
Merritt Riley, the ultimate Yankee batboy
- Merritt Riley was a huge Yankees fan growing up and worked his way into the dream job of being a batboy.
- He loved being close to the players and hoped it might eventually lead to a career in baseball.
- His favorite non-Yankee player was George Brett of the Kansas City Royals.
The 1983 showdown
- On July 24, 1983, the Yankees were playing the Royals at Yankee Stadium.
- In the top of the ninth, Brett hit a dramatic go-ahead home run off Goose Gossage.
- Merritt, distracted by wanting to high-five Brett, didn’t immediately return the bat to the dugout.
The controversy
- Yankees manager Billy Martin ordered the bat checked.
- Officials determined Brett’s pine tar extended too far up the bat, making the homer illegal under the rules.
- Brett was called out, exploded in anger, and the game seemed over.
The aftermath
- Chaos followed: arguments, officials scrambling, and the bat getting passed around in the confusion.
- The Royals protested, and the infamous call was eventually overturned.
- Brett’s home run was reinstated, and Kansas City ultimately got the win.
- Years later, Brett and Merritt even joked about the moment, with Brett laughing off the missed high-five.
Main Themes and Takeaways
Authenticity vs. performance
- Both stories center on what happens when a performance is real in spirit but compromised in identity.
- In Fleetwood Mac’s case, the band name carried expectations that the lineup could not satisfy.
- In baseball, a tiny rule violation turned one player’s moment into a major controversy.
The cost of being caught in someone else’s plan
- Elmer and Kirby believed they were part of an authorized Fleetwood Mac project, but the arrangement collapsed around them.
- Merritt’s innocent hesitation helped trigger one of the most famous rule disputes in baseball history.
Improvisation under pressure
- Both stories show people having to keep going despite confusion, chaos, and public scrutiny.
- In each case, the characters had to improvise in front of a crowd—and live with the consequences.
Notable Takeaway
- Sometimes you can fake a lot of things, but you can’t fake legitimacy.
- And sometimes, one small decision—like not returning a bat right away—can alter sports history.