George Brett

The only player in MLB history to win a batting title in three different decades.

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.

Quick Facts

Position

Third baseman
Designated hitter
First baseman

Bats

Left

Throws

Right

Born

15 May 1953

Birthplace

Glen Dale, West Virginia, U.S.

Debut league

MLB

Debut date

August 2

Debut year

1973

Lore & Background

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.

Reader's Guide

Brett was named the Royals' interim hitting coach in 2013 on May 30, but he stepped down from the position on July 25 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 five games over the New York Mets.

Did You Know?

Brett was born in Glen Dale, West Virginia, the youngest of four sons.
He graduated from El Segundo High School in 1971 and was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 1971 MLB draft.
Brett won his first batting title in 1976 with a .333 average.
In 1980, Brett batted .390, a modern record for a third baseman, and won the American League MVP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is George Brett?

George Brett is a legendary third baseman who spent his entire twenty-one-year Major League career with Kansas City. He is widely considered the greatest player in franchise history due to his longevity and consistent excellence at the plate.

When was he inducted into the Hall of Fame?

He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 immediately upon becoming eligible for induction. This honor recognized his massive contributions and immediate impact on the sport during his playing days.

Which championship did he help the Royals win?

Brett helped lead the Royals to their first-ever World Series championship victory in 1985 against the St. Louis Cardinals. His leadership was crucial during that pennant-winning season, solidifying his legacy with the organization.