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George Brett
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George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953) is an American former professional baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals.

Key Information

Brett's 3,154 career hits are second most by any third baseman in major league history (after only Adrian Beltré's 3,166) and rank 18th all-time. He is one of five players in MLB history to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, and a career .300 batting average (the others being Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Miguel Cabrera, and Stan Musial). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 in his first year of eligibility, and is the only player in MLB history to win a batting title in three different decades. He was also a member of the Royals' 1985 World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Brett was named the Royals' interim hitting coach in 2013 on May 30, but he stepped down from the position on July 25 in order to resume his position of vice president of baseball operations. In 2015, he won his second World Series ring when the Royals won the series in 5 games over the New York Mets.

Early life

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Brett was born in Glen Dale, West Virginia, the youngest of four sons of a sports-minded family. Ken, the second oldest, became a major league pitcher who pitched in the 1967 World Series at age 19. Brothers John (eldest) and Bobby had brief careers in the minor leagues. All of George’s brothers were born in Brooklyn.

Jack and Ethel Brett then moved the family from the northern panhandle of West Virginia to the Midwest,[where?] and three years later to El Segundo, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, just south of Los Angeles International Airport. George grew up hoping to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers. He graduated from El Segundo High School in 1971 and was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round (29th overall) of the 1971 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He was high school teammates with pitcher Scott McGregor.[2]

Playing career

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Minor leagues

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Brett began his professional baseball career as a shortstop, but had trouble going to his right defensively and was soon shifted to third base. As a third baseman, his powerful arm remained an asset, and he remained at that spot for more than 15 years. Brett's minor league stops were with the Billings Mustangs for the Rookie-level Pioneer League in 1971, the San Jose Bees of the Class A California League in 1972, and the Omaha Royals of the Class AAA American Association in 1973, batting .291, .274, and .284, respectively.[3]

Kansas City Royals (1973–1993)

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1973

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The Royals promoted Brett to the major leagues on August 2, 1973. He made his major league debut that day against the Chicago White Sox, going 1-for-4 as the starting third baseman.[4] He played in 13 games, and hit .125 (5-for-40).[5]

1974

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Brett won the starting third base job in 1974 (replacing Paul Schaal), but struggled at the plate until he asked for help from Charley Lau, the Royals' batting coach. Spending the All-Star break working together, Lau taught Brett how to protect the entire plate and cover up some holes in his swing that experienced big-league pitchers were exploiting. Armed with this knowledge, Brett developed rapidly as a hitter, and finished the year with a .282 batting average, two home runs and 47 RBI in 113 games.[5]

1975–1979

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Brett topped the .300 mark for the first time in 1975, hitting .308 with 11 home runs and 90 RBI in 159 games. He finished the season leading the league in hits (195) and triples (13).[5][6] He then won his first batting title in 1976 with a .333 average, seven home runs and 67 RBI in 159 games.[5] The four contenders for the batting title that year were Brett and Royals teammate Hal McRae, and Minnesota Twins teammates Rod Carew and Lyman Bostock. In dramatic fashion, Brett went 2-for-4 in the final game of the season against the Twins, beating out his three rivals, all playing in the same game. His lead over second-place McRae was less than .001. Brett won the title when a fly ball dropped in front of Twins left fielder Steve Brye, bounced on the Royals Stadium AstroTurf and over Brye's head to the wall; Brett circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run. McRae, batting just behind Brett in the line up, grounded out and Brett won his first batting title.[7]

From May 8 through May 13, 1976, Brett had three or more hits in six consecutive games, a major league record. A month later, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for a feature article,[6] and made his first of 13 All-Star teams. The Royals won the first of three straight American League West Division titles, beginning a great rivalry with the New York Yankees—whom they faced in the American League Championship Series each of those three years. In the fifth and final game of the 1976 ALCS, Brett hit a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to tie the score at six—only to see the Yankees' Chris Chambliss launch a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth to give the Yankees a 7–6 win.[8] Brett finished second in American League MVP voting to Thurman Munson.[9]

Brett with Kansas City, c. 1977

A year later, Brett emerged as a power hitter, batting .312 while clubbing 22 home runs and recording 88 RBI in 139 games, as the Royals headed to another ALCS.[5] In Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS, following an RBI triple, Brett slid into third and was called safe then was kicked in the head by Graig Nettles, after which Brett stood and threw a punch at Nettles, igniting a bench-clearing brawl.[10][11]

In 1978, Brett batted .294 (the only time between 1976 and 1983 in which he did not bat at least .300) with nine home runs and 62 RBI in 128 games, helping the Royals win a third consecutive AL West title.[5] However, Kansas City once again lost to the Yankees in the ALCS, but not before Brett hit three home runs off Catfish Hunter in Game 3,[12] becoming the second player to hit three home runs in an LCS game (Bob Robertson was the first, having done so in Game 2 of the 1971 NLCS).[13]

Brett followed with a successful 1979 season, in which he finished third in AL MVP voting.[5] He became the sixth player in league history to have at least 20 doubles, triples and homers all in one season (42–20–23) and led the league in hits (212) and triples (20) while batting .329, with an on-base percentage of .376 and a slugging percentage of .563.[5]

1980

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All these impressive statistics were just a prelude to 1980, when Brett won the American League MVP and batted .390, a modern record for a third baseman.[5] Brett's batting average was at or above .400 as late in the season as September 19, and the country closely followed his quest to bat .400 for an entire season, a feat which has not been accomplished since Ted Williams in 1941.[14]

Brett's 1980 batting average of .390 is second only to Tony Gwynn's 1994 average of .394 (Gwynn played in 110 games and had 419 at-bats in the strike-shortened season, compared to Brett's 449 at bats in 1980) for the highest single season batting average since 1941. Brett also recorded 118 runs batted in, while appearing in just 117 games; it was the first instance of a player averaging one RBI per game (in more than 100 games) since Walt Dropo thirty seasons prior. He led the American League in both slugging and on-base percentage.[5]

Brett started out slowly, hitting only .259 in April. In May, he hit .329 to get his season average to .301. In June, the 27-year-old third baseman hit .472 (17-for-36) to raise his season average to .337, but played his last game for a month on June 10, not returning to the lineup until after the All-Star Break on July 10 due to him tearing a ligament in his foot while trying to steal second.[14]

In July, after being off for a month, he played in 21 games and hit .494 (42-for-85), raising his season average to .390.[14] Brett started a 30-game hitting streak on July 18, which lasted until he went 0-for-3 on August 19 (the following night he went 3-for-3).[14] During those 30 games, Brett hit .467 (57-for-122). His high mark for the season came a week later, when Brett's batting average was at .407 on August 26, after he went 5-for-5 on a Tuesday night in Milwaukee.[14] He batted .430 for the month of August (30 games), and his season average was at .403 with five weeks to go. For the three hot months of June, July, and August 1980, Brett played in 60 American League games and hit .459 (111-for-242), most of it after a return from a monthlong injury. For these 60 games, he had 14 home runs and 69 RBI.

Brett missed another 10 days in early September and hit just .290 for the month. His average was at .400 as late as September 19, but he then had a 4-for-27 slump, and the average dipped to .384 on September 27, with a week to play.[14] For the final week, Brett went 10-for-19, which included going 2-for-4 in the final regular season game on October 4. His season average ended up at .390 (175 hits in 449 at-bats = .389755), and he averaged more than one RBI per game.[5] Brett led the league in both on-base percentage (.454) and slugging percentage (.664) on his way to capturing 17 of 28 possible first-place votes in the MVP race.[15] Since Al Simmons also batted .390 in 1931 for the Philadelphia Athletics, the only higher averages subsequent to 1931 were by Ted Williams of the Red Sox (.406 in 1941) and Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres (.394 in the strike-shortened 1994 season).

More importantly, the Royals won the American League West, and would face the AL East champion New York Yankees in the ALCS.

1980 postseason

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During the 1980 post-season, Brett led the Royals to their first American League pennant, sweeping the playoffs in three games from the rival Yankees who had beaten K.C. in the 1976, 1977 and 1978 playoffs. During Game 2 of the 1980 ALCS, Willie Randolph was on first base in the top of the eighth with two outs and the Royals up by just one run. Bob Watson hit a ball to the left field corner of Royals Stadium. The ball bounced right to Willie Wilson, but Wilson was not known for having a great arm, and third base coach Mike Ferraro waved Randolph home. Wilson overthrew U L Washington, the cut-off man, but Brett was in position behind him to catch the ball, then throw to Darrell Porter, who tagged out Randolph in a slide. TV cameras captured a furious George Steinbrenner fuming immediately after the play. The Royals won 3–2. Brett claimed after the game that he had deliberately positioned himself to cut off the throw in case Washington missed it, but Tommy John of the Yankees disagreed, thinking that if Brett had been backing up Washington, he would have been between shortstop and home plate, not over behind third base. Either way, he was in the perfect position to throw out Randolph.[16] In Game 3, Brett hit a ball well into the third deck of Yankee Stadium off Yankees closer Goose Gossage.[17] Gossage's previous pitch had been timed at 97 mph, leading ABC broadcaster Jim Palmer to say, "I doubt if he threw that ball 97 miles an hour." A moment later Palmer was given the actual reading of 98. "Well, I said it wasn't 97", Palmer replied. Brett then hit .375 in the 1980 World Series, but the Royals lost in six games to the Philadelphia Phillies.[5] During the Series, Brett made headlines after leaving Game 2 in the sixth inning due to hemorrhoid pain. Brett had minor surgery the next day, and in Game 3 returned to hit a home run as the Royals won in 10 innings 4–3. After the game, Brett was famously quoted "...my problems are all behind me".[18] In 1981, he missed two weeks of spring training to have his hemorrhoids removed.[19]

1981

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On May 14, 1981, Brett hit UPI photographer Tom Gralish in the head with a crutch while Gralish was photographing him after a loss at Royals Stadium. Brett apologized the following day.[20] Roughly two weeks later, in a fit of anger, he destroyed two toilets and a sink at Metropolitan Stadium as reported by sportswriter Mike Fish. On September 15 at a hotel in Anaheim, Brett confronted Fish about his reporting. Brett pushed reporter Janis Carr and had to be restrained by teammates Willie Wilson and Greg Keatley. Police were called but no arrests were made.[21]

Pine Tar Incident

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Main article: Pine Tar Incident
Baseball bat used by George Brett in the Pine Tar Incident on July 24, 1983

On July 24, 1983, in a game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Brett hit a two-run homer off Goose Gossage in the top of the ninth inning with two out to put the Royals up 5–4. After the home run, Yankees manager Billy Martin cited to the umpires a rule stating that any foreign substance on a bat could extend no further than 18 inches from the knob. The umpires measured the amount of pine tar, a legal substance used by hitters to improve their grip, on Brett's bat. The pine tar extended about 24 inches, leading home plate umpire Tim McClelland to signal Brett out and end the game as a Yankees win. An enraged Brett charged out of the dugout directly toward McClelland, forcing the two umpires and Royals manager Dick Howser to physically restrain him.[22]

The Royals quickly issued a challenge to the outcome. It was upheld by American League president Lee MacPhail, who ruled that while the bat should have been excluded from future use, the home run should not have been nullified.[23] Amid much controversy, the game was resumed on August 18, 1983, from the point of Brett's home run and ended with a Royals win.[24]

1985

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Brett with Nancy Reagan in 1985

In 1985, Brett had another brilliant season in which he helped propel the Royals to their second American League Championship. He batted .335 with 30 home runs and 112 RBI in 155 games,[5] finishing in the top 10 of the league in 10 different offensive categories. Defensively, he won his only Gold Glove, which broke Buddy Bell's six-year run of the award, and finished second in American League MVP voting to Don Mattingly. In the final week of the regular season, he went 9-for-20 at the plate with seven runs, five homers, and 9 RBI in six crucial games, five of them victories, as the Royals closed the gap and won the division title at the end.[25] He was MVP of the 1985 playoffs against the Toronto Blue Jays, with an incredible Game 3. With KC down in the series two games to none, Brett went 4-for-4, homering in his first two at bats against Doyle Alexander, and doubled to the same spot in right field in his third at bat, leading the Royals' comeback.[26] Brett then batted .370 in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals,[5] including a four-hit performance in Game 7.[27] The Royals again rallied from a 3–1 deficit to become World Series champions for the first time in their history.[28]

1986–1993

[edit]
Brett batting in 1990

In 1988, Brett moved across the diamond to first base in an effort to reduce his chances of injury and had another top-notch season with a .306 average, 24 home runs and 103 RBI in 157 games.[5] But after batting just .282 with 12 homers and 80 RBI in 124 games the next year, it looked like his career might be slowing down.[5] He got off to a terrible start in 1990 and at one point even considered retirement. But his manager, former teammate John Wathan, encouraged him to stick it out. Finally, in July, the slump ended and Brett batted .386 for the rest of the season. In September, he caught Rickey Henderson for the league lead, and in a battle down to the last day of the season, captured his third batting title with a .329 mark.[5] This feat made Brett the only major league player to win batting titles in three different decades.

Brett played three more seasons for the Royals, mostly as their designated hitter, but occasionally filling in for injured teammates at first base. He passed the 3,000-hit mark in 1992, though he was picked off by Angels first baseman Gary Gaetti after stepping off the base to start enjoying the moment.[29] Brett retired after the 1993 season; in his final at-bat, he hit a single up the middle against Rangers closer Tom Henke and scored on a home run by now teammate Gaetti.[30] His last game was also notable as being the final game ever played at Arlington Stadium.

Hall of Fame

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Brett was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, with what was then the fourth-highest voting percentage in baseball history (98.2%), trailing only Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, and Ty Cobb. His voting percentage was higher than all-time greats Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, and Joe DiMaggio. In 2007, Cal Ripken Jr. passed Brett with 98.5% of the vote.

Brett's No. 5 was retired by the Royals on May 14, 1994, only the second in Royals history, after former Royals manager, Dick Howser’s No. 10 in 1987.

Brett was selected the Hometown Hero for the Royals in a two-month fan vote revealed in an hour-long telecast on ESPN on September 27, 2006. He was one of the few players to receive more than 400,000 votes.[31]

Legacy

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George Brett's number 5 was retired by the Kansas City Royals in 1994.

Brett's 3,154 career hits are the second most by a third baseman in major league history, surpassed only by Adrián Beltré (3,166 hits), and 18th among all players.[32] Baseball historian Bill James regards him as the second-best third baseman of all time, trailing only his contemporary, Mike Schmidt. In 1999, he ranked Number 55 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,[33] and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Brett is one of only five players in MLB history—the other four being Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Miguel Cabrera, and Hank Aaron—to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, and a career .300 batting average. Most indicative of his hitting style, Brett is seventh on the career doubles list with 665, trailing only Tris Speaker, Pete Rose, Stan Musial, Ty Cobb, Albert Pujols and Craig Biggio).[34]

Brett was a highly effective hitter in the postseason. In 43 postseason games, including 2 World Series (1980, 1985), he batted .337 (56-for-166) with 10 home runs and 23 RBI.[35]

A photo in the July 1976 edition of National Geographic showing Brett signing baseballs for fans with his team's name emblazoned across his shirt was the inspiration for New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde's 2013 song "Royals," which won the 2014 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.[36] Brett was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Brett was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[37]

The Mendoza Line

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Main article: Mendoza Line

Brett is credited with popularizing the phrase the Mendoza Line,[38] which is used to represent a sub-.200 batting average, historically regarded as unacceptable at the Major League level. It derives from shortstop Mario Mendoza, a career .215 hitter who finished below .200 five times in his nine seasons in the big leagues—including .198 the year the term is claimed to have been coined by a pair of his teammates in Tom Paciorek and Bruce Bochte in 1979.[citation needed]

Brett referred to the Mendoza Line in an interview, which was picked up by ESPN baseball anchor Chris Berman and then expanded into the world of SportsCenter.[39]

Post-baseball activities

[edit]
Brett in February 2009

Following his playing career Brett became a vice president of the Royals, and has worked as a part-time coach, as a special instructor in spring training, as an interim batting coach, and as a roving instructor helping minor league prospects develop. He also runs a baseball equipment and glove company named Brett Bros. with brothers Bobby, and, until his death in 2003,[40] Ken.[41] He has also lent his name to a restaurant on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1998, Brett worked as a color analyst on regional Fox Saturday Baseball telecasts.[42]

Brett has continued to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Brett started to raise money for the Keith Worthington Chapter during his playing career in the mid-1980s.

Brett and his dog Charlie appeared in a PETA ad campaign, encouraging people not to leave their canine companions in the car during hot weather.[43] He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Mike Napoli at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[44]

On May 30, 2013, the Royals announced that Brett and Pedro Grifol would serve as batting coaches for the organization.[45] On July 25, 2013 (the day following the 30th anniversary of the pine tar incident), the Royals announced that Brett would serve as vice president of baseball operations.[46]

In 2015, Brett was the National Baseball Hall of Fame recipient of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award for his support of current and former service members of the United States Military.[47]

Brett appeared as himself in the ABC sitcom Modern Family on March 28, 2018, alongside main cast member Eric Stonestreet, a Kansas City native and Royals fan,[48] whose character on the show is also an avid fan.

Brett appeared as himself in the Brockmire episode "Player to Be Named Later", in which he is dating Jules (Amanda Peet), much to Brockmire's despair; in the episode "Low and Away", Jules informs Brockmire that she and her now-husband Brett are getting a divorce. Series creator Joel Church-Cooper said in a statement, "When I created a show about a fake Kansas City legend, Jim Brockmire, I thought it only appropriate to have him worship the biggest Kansas City legend of them all—George Brett."[49]

He is also a recurring guest on the podcast Pardon My Take which is presented by Barstool Sports.

Team ownership

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In 1998, an investor group headed by Brett and his older brother, Bobby, made an unsuccessful bid to purchase the Kansas City Royals. Brett is the principal owner of the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.[50] He and his brother Bobby also co-own the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a Los Angeles Dodgers Single-A partner, and lead ownership groups that control the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League,[51] and the West Coast League's Bellingham Bells.[52]

Personal life

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In 1992, Brett married the former Leslie Davenport, and they reside in the Kansas City suburb of Mission Hills, Kansas. The couple has three sons: Jackson, Dylan, and Robin.[53]

See also

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References

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Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

George Brett

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
George Brett is an American former who played his entire 21-season (MLB) career with the from 1973 to 1993, amassing 3,154 hits, a .305 , 317 home runs, and 1,596 runs batted in while earning 13 selections, three (AL) batting titles, the 1980 AL (MVP) Award, and a 1985 . Born on May 15, 1953, in , Brett was the youngest of four brothers—all of whom played , including older brother Ken, who pitched 14 seasons in MLB. Drafted by the Royals in the second round (29th overall) of the 1971 MLB draft, Brett made his MLB debut on August 2, 1973, at age 20, and quickly established himself as one of the game's premier hitters, leading the AL with a .333 in 1976 to claim his first batting title. Brett's career peaked in 1980, when he won the AL MVP Award after posting a league-leading .390 —the highest in MLB since ' .406 in 1941—along with 24 home runs, 118 RBI, and 87 runs scored, though he fell 5 hits short of a .400 season. He became the first player in MLB history to win batting titles in three different decades, adding crowns in 1990 (.329 average at age 37) to his earlier triumphs. Defensively versatile, primarily at third base but also first base later in his career, Brett earned a Gold Glove in 1985 and contributed to the Royals' championship, batting .348 with three home runs in the AL Championship Series and .370 in the Fall Classic. In November 2025, he was honored as a Living Legend by the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. One of the most memorable moments in history occurred on July 24, 1983, during a game at against the New York Yankees: Brett hit a go-ahead off in the ninth inning, but umpire Tim McClelland ruled it invalid due to excessive (over 18 inches) on the bat, sparking Brett's infamous dugout outburst and ejection; the AL later overturned the call, reinstating the , and the game resumed on August 18 with the Royals winning 5-4. Brett reached another milestone on September 30, 1992, collecting his 3,000th hit off Tim Fortugno of the California Angels, becoming the first player to achieve 3,000 hits, 300 s, and 100 stolen bases in a career. Brett retired after the 1993 season at age 40, having been named Royals Player of the Year eight times and finishing his career as the franchise's all-time leader in hits (3,154), doubles (665), (137), and RBI (1,596), records he still holds as of 2025. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1999 with 98.2% of the vote from the , he was also enshrined in the Royals Hall of Fame in and has served in the organization's as of baseball operations since 1998.

Early life and amateur career

Family background and childhood

George Howard Brett was born on May 15, 1953, in Glen Dale, West Virginia, as the youngest of four sons born to Jack Brett, a World War II veteran and accountant who later worked as a finance director for companies like Mattel Toys, and Ethel Brett, a bookkeeper. The Brett family, originally from Brooklyn, New York—where John's, Ken's, and Bobby's births occurred—had relocated to West Virginia before George's arrival, reflecting Jack's pursuit of work opportunities in the post-war era. Shortly after George's birth, the family moved to , when he was two years old, settling in a suburban community near that offered abundant opportunities for youth athletics and . This relocation immersed young Brett in a sports-rich environment, where beaches and parks like Recreation Park became central to his daily life, fostering an initial casual interest in physical activities despite his self-described laziness as a child who preferred lounging over structured play. By age seven, he began organized sports through at Recreation Park, marking the start of his competitive involvement and exposure to team dynamics in a league known for nurturing talent in the South Bay area. Brett's passion for baseball was profoundly shaped by his three older brothers—John, Ken, and Bobby—all of whom pursued professional baseball careers, with Ken achieving major league success as a pitcher for teams including the Boston Red Sox. Growing up in their shadow, George often felt overshadowed by their athletic accomplishments, which created sibling rivalries that motivated him to strive for excellence and prove his own worth on the field. Ken's standout performance in the 1967 World Series, watched by 14-year-old George, particularly ignited his determination, turning family competition into a driving force for his development. These early influences laid the groundwork for his transition to high school baseball, where he would build toward a professional path.

High school baseball and professional draft

George Brett attended in , where he participated in and football. As a multi-sport athlete, he served as the starting on the during his early years but transitioned to in his senior year due to his tendency to throw interceptions. In , Brett initially played third base before shifting to during his junior year, showcasing his versatility and defensive skills. His performance steadily improved, earning him a spot on the as a sophomore after hitting .351 in limited play. By his junior year, he batted .345, and in his senior season, he achieved a .339 with seven home runs, contributing to the El Segundo Eagles' impressive 33-2 record and championship. Brett's standout senior year drew significant attention from professional scouts, as seven of the nine starters on that championship team, including Brett, advanced to Division I college programs or . This talent pool highlighted the program's strength and Brett's potential as a top prospect. Multiple teams expressed interest, leading to his selection by the in the second round (29th overall) of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft. He signed with the Royals shortly thereafter for a $25,000 bonus, marking his entry into .

Professional baseball career

Minor league development

Following his selection by the in the second round of the 1971 MLB Draft, Brett was assigned to the Royals' rookie-level affiliate, the of the Pioneer League. Playing primarily as a early in the season, he transitioned to third base during the year, a positional shift that helped refine his defensive skills for professional play. In 68 games, Brett batted .291 with 75 hits, five home runs, and 44 RBIs, demonstrating early promise as a while adapting to the rigors of full-season . Promoted to Class A for the 1972 season, Brett joined the San Jose Bees of the , where he solidified his role at third base, appearing there in 104 of his 117 games. Under manager Harry Malmberg, Brett adjusted to more advanced pitching and coaching, focusing on plate discipline and power development; he notably played alongside his brother Ken in a few games before Ken's major league commitments. That year, he hit .274 with 118 hits, a league-high 10 home runs for the Bees, and 68 RBIs, earning a mid-season promotion trajectory that skipped Double-A entirely. His performance highlighted growing consistency, with 22 doubles underscoring his gap-to-gap hitting approach. Brett's rapid ascent continued in 1973 with the Omaha Royals of the Triple-A American Association, where he batted .284 in 117 games, including eight home runs and 64 RBIs, before his August call-up to the majors. This stint earned him a selection, reflecting his adaptation to higher-level competition and professional instruction. Across his career from 1971 to 1973, spanning 301 games (excluding brief 1974 appearances), Brett maintained a .281 with 23 home runs and 176 RBIs, establishing himself as a prolific hitter with strong on-base skills (.359 OBP) that foreshadowed his major league success.

Major league debut and early seasons (1973–1974)

George Brett made his major league debut on August 2, 1973, as a for the against the at . Batting eighth in the lineup, he lined out to in his first at-bat but followed with a broken-bat bloop single to left field in the fourth inning for his first major league hit, going 1-for-4 overall in the Royals' 7-0 loss. In his rookie season of 1973, Brett appeared in 13 games primarily as a utility , batting .125 with five hits in 40 at-bats and no home runs or RBIs. His limited role reflected the Royals' established infield, including third baseman Paul Schaal, as the team finished second in the with an 88-74 record. Brett's brief stint showcased his potential but highlighted the adjustment from success to major league competition. Brett's role expanded significantly in 1974 when he was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in early May and installed as the full-time , replacing the injured Paul Schaal. He played 133 games at the position, batting .282 with 2 home runs and 47 RBIs while finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. However, defensive challenges marked his transition, as he committed 21 errors at third base amid adaptation to the speed and precision of major league play, including facing sharper pitching after his minor league hitting foundation. Under hitting coach Charley Lau's guidance, Brett overcame an early slump below .200 to solidify his spot in the lineup by season's end.

Breakthrough years (1975–1979)

In 1975, Brett emerged as a cornerstone of the lineup, posting a .308 over 159 games while leading the in (195), (13), and at-bats (634). His performance, which included 11 home runs and 90 RBIs, earned him 11th place in AL Most Valuable Player voting and highlighted his transition from a promising to a reliable everyday . Brett's ascent continued in 1976, when he captured the AL batting title with a .333 , the highest in the league, while driving in 67 runs and scoring 94. That season marked the Royals' first AL West division with a 90-72 record under manager , though they fell to the New York Yankees 3-2 in the AL Championship Series. Brett's consistency at the plate propelled Kansas City's offense, as he reached base at a .401 clip and contributed to the team's first postseason appearance. The Royals returned to the in and , capturing back-to-back AL West titles with records of 102-60 and 92-69, respectively, but were again eliminated by the Yankees in the ALCS each year—losing 3-2 in and 3-1 in . In the 1978 series, Brett delivered a standout performance in Game 3, hitting three solo home runs to power a 6-5 Royals victory, though the team could not advance. Over these two seasons, he maintained strong production, batting .312 in with 14 home runs and .284 in with 16 home runs, anchoring the lineup amid intense rivalry matchups. By 1979, Brett had solidified his status as the Royals' offensive linchpin, batting .329 with 23 home runs, 42 doubles, and a league-leading 20 triples en route to 212 hits, the most in the majors. His .563 slugging percentage and 107 RBIs helped Kansas City finish second in the AL West at 95-67, underscoring his role in sustaining the team's contention through the decade.

1980 season and ALCS heroics

In the 1980 season, George Brett delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career, batting .390, which marked the highest average in the American League since Ted Williams' .406 in 1941. He also hit 24 home runs and drove in 118 runs, earning him the American League Most Valuable Player Award unanimously. Brett's consistency at the plate, building on his strong showings from the late 1970s, propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 97-65 record and the AL West title by a 14-game margin. Facing the New York Yankees in the , the Royals achieved a decisive 3-0 sweep, with playing a pivotal role in the clinching Game 3. In that October 10 contest at , trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning, crushed a three-run off closer into the third deck in right field, giving Kansas City a lead they would not relinquish in a 4-2 victory. His .273 across the series, including four RBIs in Game 3, underscored his ability to deliver in high-stakes moments. Brett's heroics in the 1980 ALCS provided crucial momentum for the Royals, marking their first World Series appearance and solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer against the rival Yankees. The sweep avenged previous playoff losses to New York and highlighted Brett's postseason prowess, where he batted .273 with two home runs in the series.

1981 season and Pine Tar Incident

The 1981 Major League Baseball season was disrupted by a mid-season players' strike from June 12 to July 31, resulting in a shortened schedule and a unique split-season format that affected team standings and playoffs. George Brett of the Kansas City Royals was further limited by an ankle injury sustained on May 13, when he twisted it while running the bases, causing him to miss approximately a month of action and reducing his games played to 89. Despite these setbacks, Brett posted a strong .314 batting average with 109 hits, 6 home runs, and 43 RBI, helping the Royals finish second in the first half of the split season before being eliminated in the division series. One of the most defining moments of Brett's career came during the 1983 season in the infamous on July 24 at , where the Royals trailed the New York Yankees 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning with two outs and on first base. Brett, using a he had relied on for years—including a pivotal in the 1980 ALCS—launched a two-run go-ahead off closer , putting the Royals ahead 5-4. However, Yankees manager , known for his aggressive protests, immediately alerted home plate umpire Tim McClelland to examine the for excessive , a sticky substance used for grip that was regulated by Major League Baseball Rule 1.10(b) to no more than 18 inches from the handle to prevent it from discoloring the . McClelland, with input from the umpiring crew including crew chief Joe Brinkman, measured the bat against the 17-inch width of home plate and determined the pine tar extended approximately 23 inches, exceeding the limit and rendering the bat illegal. He nullified the home run, declared Brett out for using an altered bat, and ejected him after Brett charged from the dugout in a furious outburst, famously yelling, "There has to be something wrong with you!" while being restrained by teammates and manager Dick Howser. The Royals' formal protest of the game was filed immediately, halting play and suspending the contest with the score reverted to 4-3 in favor of the Yankees. On July 28, American League president Lee MacPhail reviewed the protest and overturned the umpires' ruling on August 18, determining that the excessive pine tar did not violate the rule's intent—to keep the ball clean for fair play—since it did not come into contact with the ball during the swing, and the appropriate penalty should have been simply confiscating the bat rather than nullifying the hit. MacPhail's decision upheld the Royals' protest, ordering the game resumed from the moment after Brett's home run, with the score 5-4 in Kansas City's favor, two outs, and Washington on first. The resumption occurred later that day at Yankee Stadium before a sparse crowd of 1,245; the top of the ninth was ruled complete, and in the bottom half, the Yankees went down quickly—Rick Cerone struck out, Don Baylor flied to left, and Steve Balboni grounded out—sealing a 5-4 Royals victory. The resolution was marked by further controversy, including Martin's multiple protests during the resumption: he argued that the Royals had forfeited by using replacement players in the interim, that Brett's should be replayed due to the illegal , and even presented from a prior examination of the , but all were overruled by the umpires and MacPhail. Martin's antics, including his premeditated preparation of protests and dramatic gestures during the bat measurement, highlighted the intense rivalry between the teams and added to the incident's theatrical legacy, though MLB later clarified the rule in 1983 to emphasize its purpose in maintaining integrity without retroactively invalidating hits.

1985 World Series triumph

In the 1985 regular season, George Brett batted .335 with 184 hits, 30 home runs, and 112 RBIs, earning his third batting title and helping the secure the AL West division title with a 91-71 record. His performance, combined with strong contributions from teammates like Willie Wilson and , propelled the Royals to their second AL pennant in six years, setting the stage for a postseason run. Brett's heroics continued in the ALCS against the Blue Jays, where he hit .348 (8-for-23) with three home runs and five RBIs over seven games, earning series MVP honors. Down 0-2 in the series, Brett delivered a standout 4-for-5 performance in Game 3, including two home runs and three RBIs, sparking a Royals comeback that culminated in a 6-2 Game 7 victory to advance to the . His of .500 and of .826 underscored his dominance, providing the offensive spark needed against a team that had won 99 regular-season games. Facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the , Brett maintained a strong .370 (10-for-27) with four walks, though he recorded just one RBI across the seven games. In the pivotal , a controversial umpire call on Jorge Orta's grounder ignited a Royals rally, leading to a 2-1 victory that evened the series at 3-3; Brett went 1-for-4 in that game, contributing to the momentum shift. Game 7 saw the Royals rout the Cardinals 11-0 behind Bret Saberhagen's complete-game , with Brett delivering a key single in the second that advanced a runner and set up an early run, helping secure Kansas City's first championship. As the team's emotional leader and longest-tenured star, Brett's veteran presence and consistent play were instrumental in the triumph, marking the pinnacle of his career with the Royals.

Later career and retirement (1986–1993)

Following the 1985 World Series victory, George Brett continued to deliver strong performances for the despite recurring injuries that began to limit his playing time. In 1986, he batted .290 while dealing with a strained right that sidelined him for several games midseason. The following year, a ribcage injury in April cost him 18 games, followed by a partial tear of the in his right in May, which kept him out for about a month. Brett returned as the and finished 1987 with a .290 average, but the knee issue marked the start of ongoing physical challenges. In 1988, to reduce strain on his legs, Brett transitioned primarily to first base, where he posted a .306 average in 143 games. However, injuries persisted; in April 1989, he tore a in his right while fielding a ground ball, missing over a month of action and limiting him to 116 games that season with a .282 average. Despite these setbacks, Brett's resilience shone through in 1990 at age 37, when he won his third batting title with a .329 average—the only player in major league history to claim batting crowns in three different decades (1976, 1980, and 1990). Brett's later seasons reflected both milestones and physical decline. In 1991, knee and other ailments restricted him to 90 games, resulting in a .255 average. He rebounded somewhat in 1992 with a .285 average over 126 games, highlighted by his 3,000th career hit—a single off Tim Fortugno of the California Angels on September 30 at —despite missing time earlier due to a strained and . Entering 1993, Brett announced his retirement on , intending to play out the season's final week. The farewell stretched into an emotional coda. On September 26, Brett hit a walk-off three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles—his final major league homer—lifting the Royals to a 5-4 victory in 12 innings. His last home game on September 29 at Kauffman Stadium drew a standing ovation; Brett addressed the crowd, kissed home plate, and went 2-for-4 in a 6-2 loss to the Orioles. Brett's career concluded on October 3 in the Royals' finale at Texas Rangers' Arlington Stadium, where he collected his final hit—a single up the middle off closer Tom Henke in the ninth inning—and scored on a home run by Gregg Jefferies in a 5-2 win. Over 111 games in 1993, he batted .266, capping a 21-year career spent entirely with Kansas City.

Career statistics and records

George Brett played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, all with the Kansas City Royals from 1973 to 1993. Over his career, he amassed 3,154 hits in 10,349 at-bats, batting .305 with 1,583 runs scored, 665 doubles, 137 triples, 317 home runs, 1,596 runs batted in, and 201 stolen bases. He appeared in 2,707 games, ranking first in Royals franchise history for games played, hits, and at-bats. Brett's 665 doubles rank seventh all-time in MLB history. He became the first player in MLB history to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 100 triples, 1,500 RBIs, and 200 stolen bases. Brett won three batting titles, in 1976 (.333), 1980 (.390), and 1990 (.329). In the postseason, Brett batted .335 over 47 games with 55 hits. During the Royals' 1985 championship run, he collected 18 hits across the ALCS and .
CategoryStatisticRoyals RankMLB Rank
2,7071st-
At-Bats10,3491st-
3,1541st18th
Doubles6651st7th

Awards and honors

Batting titles and MVP recognition

George Brett achieved three batting titles during his career, a feat that made him the first player in history to win the honor in three different decades. He first claimed the title in with a .333 average, followed by a remarkable .390 in 1980—the highest single-season average in the since 1941—and concluded with .329 in 1990 at age 37. In 1980, Brett's exceptional performance earned him the Award, as he posted a league-leading .390 along with 175 and 33 doubles while posting 24 home runs and 118 RBIs in just 117 games. He received 17 of 28 first-place votes in the MVP balloting, securing 85% of the possible points. Brett's hitting prowess was further recognized through 13 selections from 1976 to 1988, highlighting his consistent excellence as a . He won three Silver Slugger Awards in 1980, 1985, and 1988, honors given to the top offensive players at each position. Additionally, Brett earned a in 1985, acknowledging his improved defensive skills at third base that year. He was also named the of the 1985 (ALCS).

Hall of Fame induction

George Brett became eligible for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame five years after his retirement at the end of the 1993 season. On the 1999 BBWAA ballot, his first year of eligibility, he garnered 488 votes out of 497 cast, achieving 98.2% support—tied for the eighth-highest voting percentage in Hall of Fame history—and earning near-unanimous election, bolstered by his three batting titles. The induction ceremony occurred on July 25, 1999, at the Clark Sports Center in , alongside fellow first-ballot electees and , as well as Veterans Committee honoree . In his acceptance speech, Brett conveyed deep appreciation to the organization for their unwavering support, his family—including his three brothers who also pursued —and the passionate fans who filled Royals Stadium throughout his career; he particularly emphasized the victory as the defining triumph of his journey. Brett's bronze plaque in the Hall of Fame gallery highlights his career as a Royals lifer, noting his .305 lifetime , 3,154 hits, and 1980 MVP award, among other feats. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum also preserves key artifacts from his career, including the pine tar-covered bat from his controversial , which entered the Hall of Fame's collection in 1987 and is typically on exhibit there (though, as of November 2025, on temporary loan to the ), symbolizing one of baseball's most memorable disputes.

Legacy and cultural impact

Influence on the Kansas City Royals and baseball

George Brett emerged as the defining symbol of the ' contention during the 1970s and 1980s, serving as the face of the franchise amid its early expansion-era challenges. As the only Hall of Famer in Royals history to spend his entire career with the team, Brett anchored a core that propelled Kansas City to its first division title in 1976 and subsequent playoff appearances, including berths in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1980. His leadership and on-field presence helped transform the Royals from a nascent , established in 1969, into a consistent contender in a league dominated by larger-market clubs, fostering a sense of stability and excitement for fans in a mid-sized city. Brett's career exemplified inspiration for small-market success in , particularly through the Royals' 1985 World Series victory, which marked a pivotal in the franchise's identity. In a era when financial disparities favored big-city teams, Brett's contributions to the Royals' championship run—defeating the Cardinals in seven games—demonstrated that strategic talent development and player loyalty could overcome resource limitations, providing a blueprint for other non-traditional markets. This triumph solidified the Royals' reputation as a resilient organization, with Brett's role in elevating the team's profile enduring as a model for sustained competitiveness without reliance on free-agent spending sprees. Within the Royals' clubhouse, provided mentorship to emerging talents, including second baseman Frank White, helping to build a cohesive team dynamic during the franchise's formative competitive years. As a veteran leader, he influenced younger players by example, contributing to the development of a homegrown nucleus that emphasized fundamentals and grit, which became hallmarks of the Royals' style. Additionally, elevated the third base position to a premium status in , combining elite offensive production with strong defensive play to redefine expectations for the hot corner, earning him a Gold Glove in 1985 and influencing how future third basemen were evaluated. As a cultural icon in Kansas City, Brett's deep ties to the community have left an indelible mark on local baseball fandom, with his statue—unveiled on August 11, 2001, outside Kauffman Stadium—serving as a lasting tribute to his embodiment of the Royals' spirit. Positioned in the outfield concourse, the sculpture captures his iconic stance and underscores his role in igniting passion for the sport in the heartland, where he has resided for over five decades. Memorable incidents like the 1983 Pine Tar Game further cemented his status as a larger-than-life figure, blending drama and triumph in ways that resonated beyond the diamond.

Popularization of the Mendoza Line

The refers to a of .200 in , serving as an informal benchmark for subpar hitting performance, and was named after , whose career average hovered around that mark. The term originated in the late among Mariners players, including , who used it to tease Mendoza about his low averages, but it gained prominence in the 1980s through clubhouse banter involving George Brett, Paciorek, and teammate . Brett and his colleagues employed the phrase lightheartedly to rib struggling hitters, transforming it from an inside joke into a staple of vernacular during team discussions and interviews. Brett played a pivotal role in its early popularization when, amid a personal slump at the start of the 1980 season, he remarked to reporters, "The first thing I look for in the papers is who is below the ," drawing attention to players teetering on the edge of offensive inadequacy. This comment, echoed in subsequent media coverage, highlighted the term's utility for describing hitters in peril, with Paciorek later recalling advising Brett, "You might fall below the ." By 1982, the phrase appeared in , where it was defined as the threshold "when a struggling hitter pulls his average above .200, he has crossed the ," further embedding it in journalistic lexicon. The term's broader adoption accelerated through national media in the 1980s, particularly via broadcaster , who frequently invoked it during broadcasts to underscore batting woes, crediting Brett's influence in its spread. This evolution turned the Mendoza Line into ubiquitous slang across commentary, far beyond its Royals origins. Notably, the phrase's ironic edge stemmed from Brett's own elite hitting prowess, which contrasted sharply with the banter aimed at underperformers, emphasizing its roots in clubhouse humor rather than any personal statistical benchmark.

Post-retirement activities

Roles with the Royals organization

Following his retirement from playing after the 1993 season, George Brett joined the front office as vice president of baseball operations, a position he held through the with a focus on player development and . In this capacity, Brett contributed to evaluating talent and nurturing prospects, drawing on his extensive experience as a three-time batting champion and winner to guide the organization's pipeline. From 2001 to 2013, Brett served as a hitting instructor in the Royals' minor league system and during , where he mentored emerging talents, including pressuring top draft pick to sign with the team in 2005 and providing ongoing hitting advice to help develop his swing. On May 30, 2013, amid a team slump, he stepped in as interim hitting coach for the major league squad, serving until July 25 before returning to front-office duties. As of baseball operations, Brett continued through 2023 to focus on player development, scouting evaluations, and leadership mentoring for minor leaguers like and Salvador Perez. In 2024, during the Royals' postseason run, he advised the team in his role as of baseball operations, traveling with the club and sharing insights on the intensity of past playoff matchups against the New York Yankees to motivate the current roster.

Business ventures and team ownership

Following his retirement from Major League Baseball in 1993, George Brett pursued several business ventures outside his ongoing ties to the sport, leveraging the financial foundation established by his 21-year career with the , where he earned over $20 million in salary through contracts including a landmark lifetime deal signed in 1984. One of his most prominent endeavors was co-ownership of the , a affiliate in the [Northwest League](/page/Northwest League), through the family-operated Brett Sports group alongside his brother Bobby Brett. The group acquired the team in 2004 for approximately $2 million, maintaining majority control with local investor Brent Miles holding a minority stake by 2007. Under their stewardship, the Dust Devils operated successfully in , until Brett Sports sold the franchise to in December 2024 after two decades of ownership. Brett also diversified into real estate investments, focusing on residential and commercial properties in the Kansas City area and beyond. He and his wife, Leslie, purchased a Spanish-style luxury home in the Paradise Valley neighborhood of , for $3 million in cash in 2017, reflecting his affinity for high-end desert properties near premier golf facilities. In Kansas City, where he maintains residences in the upscale Mission Hills community, Brett has invested in local real estate holdings that contribute to his portfolio's stability. Additionally, in 2013, he joined an investment to acquire a 160-unit multifamily complex in , expanding his interests into income-generating commercial real estate. In the realm of sporting goods, Brett has been actively involved with Brett International Sports, a company he leads and endorses, which was established in 1999 to manufacture and distribute premium baseball and softball equipment. Drawing on the Brett family's baseball legacy—including George's Hall of Fame career and his brothers' professional experience—the firm produces affordable, high-quality gear for players of all levels and partners with international leagues such as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). These ventures, supported by Brett's career earnings and strategic investments, have formed a diversified portfolio without notable controversies.

Recent honors and public appearances

In 2023, aired the documentary "Brett," which provided an in-depth recap of George Brett's illustrious career, featuring personal interviews and archival footage that highlighted his journey from a young prospect to a Hall of Fame icon. In October 2024, ahead of the ' against the New York Yankees, Brett delivered a motivational pre-playoff speech to the team, drawing on the intense rivalries of the 1970s and 1980s, including memorable clashes like his 1977 brawl with , and emphasizing the stakes by declaring, "This isn’t a series, ." Brett's Hall of Fame status has continued to elevate his profile, leading to prestigious invitations in recent years. In September 2025, the announced that Brett received its Living Legend Award, recognizing his enduring contributions to , with the ceremony on November 13, 2025, at the museum. Complementing the award, in November 2025, Brett's iconic "" bat from the famous 1983 game against the Yankees went on temporary display at the , loaned through December 5, 2025, allowing fans to view the artifact central to one of 's most debated moments. Looking ahead, Brett is set to serve as the keynote speaker at Missouri State University's "Step Up to the Plate" fundraising event on December 4, 2025, where he will share insights from his career with and supporters during a focused on the program's future.

Personal life

Family and residences

George Brett married Leslie Davenport on February 15, 1992, in a private ceremony attended only by family members. The couple has three sons: Jackson, born on March 8, 1993; Dylan; and Robin. The Brett family has long resided in the Kansas City suburb of Mission Hills, , where they have lived since at least 2006. Brett and his wife raised their sons in this affluent community near the Royals' home stadium, emphasizing family involvement in sports; for instance, Jackson and Dylan both played football at , with Jackson anchoring the offensive line as a senior in 2010. Post-retirement, the family has maintained a low public profile while remaining rooted in the Kansas City area. Brett comes from a baseball-oriented family; his older brother, , enjoyed a 14-year career as a from 1967 to 1981, playing for ten teams including the Boston Red Sox and . This familial connection to the sport influenced George Brett's early interest in , shaping his path to a professional career.

Philanthropy and health initiatives

George Brett has been a prominent advocate for (ALS) research and support since the early 1980s, motivated by the diagnosis and 1984 death of his close friend Keith Worthington, a Kansas City businessman and early teammate acquaintance from Brett's arrival in the city in 1973. In response, Brett founded an annual golf tournament in 1983 to raise funds for ALS causes, initially in honor of Worthington, which evolved into the Joe McGuff ALS Golf Classic in 2003 to commemorate the late Kansas City Star editor who also supported ALS initiatives. The event, held yearly in the Kansas City area, has become one of the region's premier charitable golf outings, drawing celebrities like golfer Tom Watson and former executive John Dorsey, and generating significant donations for the ALS Association's Mid America Chapter through entry fees, sponsorships, and auctions. Brett's fundraising efforts extend to donating personal baseball memorabilia, such as signed bats, jerseys, and game-used items, which are auctioned at events to bolster research and patient care programs. These contributions have helped fund clinical trials, equipment for patients, and awareness campaigns, with the recognizing Brett's lifelong commitment through the annual George Brett Award for Commitment, presented at their Night of Hope gala. As of 2025, Brett continued his involvement by speaking at the Joe McGuff Classic in June, emphasizing emerging treatments and the need for a cure amid ongoing advancements in therapy. In addition to ALS advocacy, Brett supports health initiatives for children in Kansas City, participating in golf tournaments like the Children's Mercy Fore the Kids event to benefit pediatric care at , including specialized treatments and facilities. He also contributes to youth baseball programs through Royals Charities, promoting access to sports for underprivileged kids via clinics, equipment donations, and events at the Urban Youth Academy, fostering physical and community engagement as of 2025. His family occasionally joins these efforts, such as at charity outings, underscoring a collective commitment to local health causes.

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  71. https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2024-10-05/george-brett-reminds-royals-players-of-intensity-of-past-playoffs-against-yankees
  72. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybeach/2024/10/05/george-brett-still-not-a-yankees-fan-glad-to-see-royals-yankees-again/
  73. https://www.royalsreview.com/2021/7/1/22559101/a-look-back-at-the-royals-lifetime-contracts
  74. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/aug/07/george-brett-and-his-brothers-share-a-love-for-spo/
  75. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/jun/03/bretts-dust-devils-purchase-nears-completion/
  76. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-210341
  77. https://www.tri-cityherald.com/sports/mlb/tri-city-dust-devils/article297006419.html
  78. https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/real-estate/catherine-reagor/2017/03/31/baseball-great-george-brett-buys-paradise-valley-home/99888234/
  79. https://richestlifestyle.com/george-brett-net-worth/
  80. https://www.ocbj.com/real-estate/baseball-great-and-fellow-investors-buy-complex/
  81. https://www.en.brett-sports.com/page.php?menu_id=8
  82. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/george-brett-net-worth-2024-074847106.html
  83. https://www.mlb.com/video/mlb-network-presents-brett
  84. https://apnews.com/article/yankees-royals-rivalry-213cf4b358d61ab7b878f4be44eca2b7
  85. https://www.kctv5.com/2025/09/25/royals-hall-famer-be-named-living-legend-by-louisville-slugger-later-this-year/
  86. https://missouristatebears.com/news/2025/10/10/george-brett-headlines-msu-baseball-step-up-to-the-plate-on-dec-4.aspx
  87. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1992/02/18/baseballs-heavy-hitter-george-brett-gets-married/
  88. https://www.nndb.com/people/276/000025201/
  89. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/10/sports/baseball-bretts-have-a-boy-with-a-great-grip.html
  90. https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/george-brett_id_G8652225415876207340
  91. https://www.maxpreps.com/news/HQ-QprGzEeCkhgAcxJSkrA/dylan-brett%252C-george-bretts-son%252C-has-one-more-shot-this-football-season.htm
  92. https://101theeagle.com/kansas-city-missouri-most-luxurious-neighborhoods/
  93. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brettke01.shtml
  94. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article275195766.html
  95. https://www.als.org/JoeMcGuff
  96. https://www.kshb.com/sports/joe-mcguff-als-golf-classic-still-priority-for-george-brett-35-years-later
  97. https://www.mlb.com/royals/video/george-brett-on-als
  98. https://www.als.org/NightofHope
  99. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/golf/article307713300.html
  100. https://kcindependent.com/childrens-mercy-fore-the-kids-golf-tournament/
  101. https://www.rotary.org/en/kansas-city-club-brings-town-together
  102. https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/george-brett
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