George Brett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Brett |
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Brett in 2017
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| Third baseman / Designated hitter / First baseman | |||
| Born: May 15, 1953 Glen Dale, West Virginia, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 2, 1973, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1993, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .305 | ||
| Hits | 3,154 | ||
| Home runs | 317 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,596 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 1999 | ||
| Vote | 98.2% (first ballot) | ||
George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953) is a famous American former professional baseball player. He played his entire 21-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals. He was a third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman.
Brett is known as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. He is one of only five players in MLB history to get over 3,000 hits, hit more than 300 home runs, and have a career batting average of .300 or higher. His 3,154 career hits rank him among the top players of all time. He also holds the unique record of winning a batting title in three different decades. In 1985, he helped lead the Royals to their first World Series victory. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, in his very first year of eligibility.
Contents
Early Life
George Brett was born in Glen Dale, West Virginia, on May 15, 1953. He was the youngest of four brothers in a family that loved sports. His older brother, Ken Brett, even became a major league pitcher at a young age. George grew up in El Segundo, California, and dreamed of playing baseball like his brothers.
After graduating from El Segundo High School in 1971, George was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the baseball draft. This was the start of his amazing journey in professional baseball.
Playing Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Brett began his professional career as a shortstop. However, he soon moved to third base because his strong arm was a great asset there. He played for several minor league teams, including the Billings Mustangs, San Jose Bees, and Omaha Royals. He consistently showed his talent, batting well in each league.
Becoming a Kansas City Royal (1973–1993)
Early Years and Batting Success (1973–1979)
George Brett joined the Kansas City Royals in the major leagues on August 2, 1973. He became the team's starting third baseman in 1974. Early on, he struggled a bit with his hitting. He got help from the Royals' batting coach, Charley Lau, who taught him how to improve his swing. With this new knowledge, Brett quickly became a much better hitter. He finished 1974 with a .282 batting average.
In 1975, Brett hit over .300 for the first time, with a .308 average. He also led the league in hits and triples. In 1976, he won his first batting title with an impressive .333 average. This was a very exciting race that went down to the last game of the season! That year, he also made his first of 13 All-Star teams. The Royals won their division three years in a row, often facing their rivals, the New York Yankees, in the playoffs.
Brett continued to shine, hitting 22 home runs in 1977. In 1978, he hit three home runs in one playoff game against the Yankees, which was a rare and exciting achievement. By 1979, he was one of the league's best players, leading the league in hits and triples, and batting .329.
The Amazing 1980 Season
The 1980 season was one of George Brett's most incredible years. He won the American League MVP award and batted an amazing .390. This was the highest batting average in the major leagues since 1941! Many people followed his journey, hoping he would reach the rare .400 batting average for the season.
Brett had a slow start but then had an incredible stretch of hitting. In June, July, and August, he batted .459, even after missing some time due to a foot injury. He kept his average above .400 as late as September 19. Though he didn't reach .400, his .390 average remains one of the best in modern baseball history. He also had 118 runs batted in in just 117 games, showing how important he was to his team.
Postseason Excitement in 1980
In 1980, Brett led the Royals to their first American League championship, beating the New York Yankees in the playoffs. This was a big moment for the team, as the Yankees had defeated them in previous years. Brett played a key role, including a famous play where he backed up a throw to home plate, helping to get a runner out. He also hit a memorable home run far into the stands at Yankee Stadium.
The Royals then played in the 1980 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brett batted .375 in the series. During one game, he had to leave due to a health issue but returned to hit a home run in the next game. He famously joked, "my problems are all behind me." Even though the Royals lost the series, it was a thrilling experience for the team and their fans.
The Famous Pine Tar Incident (1983)
One of the most talked-about moments in George Brett's career happened on July 24, 1983, in a game against the New York Yankees. Brett hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning, which put the Royals ahead. However, the Yankees manager pointed out a rule about how much pine tar (a sticky substance used for grip) could be on a bat. The umpires measured Brett's bat, and it had too much pine tar. They called him out, which meant the home run didn't count, and the Yankees won the game.
Brett was very upset by this decision. The Royals protested the game, and the American League president later ruled that the home run should have counted. So, the game was actually resumed almost a month later from the moment of Brett's home run, and the Royals ended up winning! It's one of baseball's most unique stories.
World Series Champions in 1985
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In 1985, George Brett had another fantastic season, batting .335 with 30 home runs and 112 RBI. He also won his only Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense at third base. He was a huge reason the Royals reached the playoffs again.
In the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Royals were down two games to none. Brett had an incredible Game 3, hitting two home runs and a double, helping the Royals start a comeback. They went on to win that series. Then, in the 1985 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Brett batted .370. The Royals came back from being down 3-1 in the series to win their first-ever World Series championship!
Later Career and 3,000 Hits (1986–1993)
Later in his career, Brett moved to first base to help prevent injuries. In 1988, he had another strong season with a .306 average. By 1990, some thought his career might be slowing down, but his manager encouraged him to keep playing. Brett had an amazing second half of the season, batting .386. He ended up winning his third batting title with a .329 average. This made him the only player in MLB history to win batting titles in three different decades (1970s, 1980s, and 1990s).
Brett played three more seasons, mostly as a designated hitter. In 1992, he reached a major milestone by getting his 3,000th career hit. He retired after the 1993 season, hitting a single in his very last at-bat. His final game was also the last game ever played at Arlington Stadium.
Hall of Fame Recognition
George Brett was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. He received an incredibly high percentage of votes (98.2%) in his first year of eligibility, showing how respected he was by baseball writers.
The Kansas City Royals honored Brett by retiring his jersey number, 5, on May 14, 1994. This means no other Royals player will ever wear that number. He was also named the Royals' "Hometown Hero" in a fan vote. In 1994, he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2017, into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
George Brett's Legacy in Baseball
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| George Brett's number 5 was retired by the Kansas City Royals in 1994. |
George Brett's career statistics place him among baseball's all-time greats. His 3,154 hits are the second most by a third baseman in major league history and rank 18th among all players. Many baseball experts consider him one of the top two third basemen ever. He is one of only five players to achieve 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, and a .300 career batting average. He also ranks seventh all-time in career doubles with 665.
Brett was also an excellent player in the postseason. In 43 playoff games, he batted an impressive .337 with 10 home runs. His strong performances helped his teams succeed when it mattered most.
Interestingly, a photo of George Brett signing baseballs inspired the New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde to write her hit song "Royals," which won a Grammy Award in 2014.
Understanding the Mendoza Line
George Brett is also known for helping to popularize a baseball phrase called the "Mendoza Line." This term is used to describe a batting average below .200, which is generally considered very low for a major league player. It got its name from Mario Mendoza, a shortstop who often had a batting average around .200. Brett mentioned the "Mendoza Line" in an interview, and it was then picked up by sports broadcasters, making it a well-known term in baseball.
Life After Baseball
Continuing with Baseball
After retiring as a player, George Brett continued to be involved with the Kansas City Royals. He became a vice president for the team and has worked as a part-time coach and special instructor. He helps young players develop their skills in spring training and in the minor leagues. In 2013, he even served as the Royals' interim batting coach for a period.
Business and Community Work
Brett also runs a baseball equipment and glove company called Brett Bros. with his brothers. He has also supported important causes, such as raising money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He even appeared in an ad campaign for PETA, encouraging people to protect their pets in hot weather.
Team Ownership Ventures
George Brett has also become involved in owning baseball teams. He is the main owner of the Tri-City Dust Devils, a minor league team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels. He and his brother Bobby also co-own other minor league teams, like the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. They also own parts of other sports teams, including the Spokane Chiefs hockey team.
Personal Life
In 1992, George Brett married Leslie Davenport. They live in Mission Hills, Kansas, and have three sons named Jackson, Dylan, and Robin.
See also
In Spanish: George Brett para niños
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
- List of Major League Baseball annual batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
