Kansas City Royals: George Brett’s Five Most Memorable Moments

Even though it has been over twenty years since George Brett retired, he is still the face of the Kansas City Royals to most baseball fans. Let us take a look at the five most memorable moments during the career of the Royals very own Number Five.

Any fan of the Kansas City Royals, or baseball in general, knows George Brett’s place in history. His accomplishments read like the novelization of what any kid dreams of being as a baseball player, as Brett became the first player to win a batting title in three different decades, and won an MVP award and a Gold Glove. His 3156 hits rank 16th all time, and his 665 career doubles are sixth in baseball history. It was certainly not a surprise that Brett reached the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot, as he received 98.4% of the votes, the fifth highest total in history.

Yet, Brett was far more than statistics and accolades. He was the fiery leader of the Royals, a leader who wore his heart on his sleeve and did everything he humanly could to ensure a victory. He truly bled Royal Blue, joining the Royals front office as Vice President after his playing career was over. Then, back in 2013, Brett returned to the field, taking over as the Royals interim hitting coach for two months, allowing us to see the ol’ #5 back on the field at Kauffman Stadium.

As the Kansas City Royals continue through Spring Training, let us take a few minutes to reflect upon the career of one of the people to truly be Forever Royal. In honor of Brett’s #5, let us look back at the five most memorable moments of his career.

Next: The quest for .400

5. Brett’s run at .400

The last player to finish a season with a batting average at or above .400 was Ted Williams when he hit .406 back in 1941. That mark has been threatened several times over the subsequent 65 years, but no one has reached that mythical plateau since Williams did all those years ago. However, George Brett came very close in 1980.

With the Kansas City Royals en route to their first World Series appearance later that season, Brett cemented his place as a superstar. In 1980, Brett led the league in batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage, while being the only player in the American League to post an OPS+ over 200 from 1962 through 1992. Brett finished off the season by wining his only MVP award, but his 1980 campaign was far more notable for his run at history.

At the start of the season, it did not appear as though Brett would be threatening history. As of May 30th, he had a .287/.370/.504 batting line, a solid year, but nothing that would invoke images of Williams. Then, he went on a tear, getting 91 hits in his next 190 at bats, producing a .479/.519/.795 batting line as his batting average climbed over .400 for the first time that season on August 17th. Brett would continue to flirt with that line, batting over .400 as late as September 19th, before ultimately ending the season at .390.

While Tony Gwynn may have gotten closer to that mark, batting .396 in the strike shortened 1994 season, Brett’s quest to reach that magical number was one of the first true threats to that mark. His chase captivated the fanbase, and helped push Brett into the national consciousness as a true star.

Next: The punch

4. When George Brett punched Graig Nettles

Back in the mid 1970’s and into the early 1980’s, the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals were true rivals. As the best teams in the American League, they ran into one another four times in the playoffs from 1976 through 1980. Unfortunately, the Yankees came out on top in the first three meetings, until the Royals broke through in 1980 for their first World Series appearance.

Needless to say, that rivalry was hotly contested, with the Yankees and Royals truly coming to dislike one another due to their postseason battles. As was occasionally the case with these games back in those days, those emotions would boil over onto the field, leading to the odd skirmish. Such was the case in Game Five of the 1977 ALCS, which the Yankees ended up winning in comeback fashion.

However, it is best remembered for the incident between Brett and Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles. In the top of the first, Brett tripled into the right center gap, sliding hard into third. After Nettles kicked him, Brett then jumped up, throwing a punch at Nettles, leading to the benches clearing as the two combatants were separated.

Amazingly enough, Brett and Nettles were allowed to remain in the game, showing how different baseball was back almost forty years ago.

Next: Mr. 3000

3. George Brett gets his 3000th hit

There are certain milestones that are reserved for the true legends of baseball. 300 wins, 500 home runs and 3000 hits bring to mind players who are, for the most part, almost certain locks to make the Hall of Fame. On September 30, 1992, Brett joined the 3000 hit club, becoming the 15th member of the prestigious club.

Brett reached that mark in the top of the seventh inning with a hot shot to second that Ken Oberkfell was unable to handle, getting past him into right for a base hit. After rounding first, he was mobbed by his teammates, celebrating the moment that Brett had joined such an elite group.

Unfortunately, the moment did not end well. After giving up Brett’s 3000th hit, Tim Fortugno got his revenge by picking him off of first to end the inning. A sheepish Brett headed back to the dugout, where he once again received congratulations for his accomplishment, and likely received a fair amount of ribbing at getting picked off by such a wide margin.

Next: When the Royals became Royalty

1. The Pine Tar Game

As this is a list of Brett’s most memorable moments in his career, as opposed to a list of his greatest accomplishments, such moments as his three home runs off Ron Guidry in the 1978 ALCS and being inducted into the Hall of Fame did not make the list. Instead, these are the moments that Brett is remembered for, and if there is one image of George Brett in the minds of baseball fans, it may well be this moment.

On July 24, 1983, George Brett hit what appeared to be a go-ahead home run off of Goose Gossage in the top of the ninth inning. As Brett circled the bases, manager Billy Martin came out of the dugout, arguing that Brett’s bat was illegal due to the amount of pine tar on the handle. He was able to get Tim McClelland to call Brett out for the illegal bat, negating the home run and preserving the Yankees lead.

Needless to say, Brett did not agree with the call, and proceeded to let McClelland know

in a calm, polite manner

by charging the field and looking as though he was about to commit homicide at home plate in Yankee Stadium. Brett was kept from attacking McClelland by the rest of the crew, and the Kansas City Royals played the remainder of the game under protest.

Eventually, American League President Lee McPhail reversed the decision, allowing Brett’s home run to stand and making the teams play the game over from that point. Martin, who was not exactly known for agreeing with umpires at any point in time, was enraged that the one decision he agreed with was overturned, and showed his displeasure by putting Don Mattingly at second and Ron Guidry in center when the game resumed.

Next: Royals potential breakout prospects

It may not be a highlight in the classic sense of the term, but if there is one moment that George Brett is remembered for during his Kansas City Royals career, it was the time when he went apoplectic in Yankee Stadium and had to be held back from attacking an umpire.