George Brett

George Brett is best known as one of the greatest pure hitters in baseball history, with over 3,000 hits and a lifetime batting average above .300.

Baseball Player

May 15, 1953

71

George Brett, an American former professional baseball player and coach, is renowned for his 21-year career with the Kansas City Royals. With 3,154 hits and a .305 batting average, he was a 13-time All-Star and the American League Most Valuable Player in 1980. Brett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, receiving 98.2% of the votes, which was the fourth-highest voting percentage in Hall of Fame history at the time. His other notable achievements include three Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove Award, and a World Series championship.

Brett is also an accomplished golfer, having participated in several celebrity golf tournaments, such as the Bob Hope Classic in 1990, where he won the “Longest Drive” competition, and the American Century Championship held annually at Lake Tahoe.

Two of Brett’s most famous moments were on May 28, 1979, and July 25, 1990, when he hit for the cycle. His exceptional hitting skills and consistency made him one of the top pure hitters of his era. Throughout his 10,349 Major League at-bats and 21 seasons with the Royals, Brett set the record for the most hits by any third baseman in major league history. His .390 batting average in 1980 was the highest for any player since Ted Williams’ .406 mark in 1941. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the Royals’ 1985 World Series championship and was known for his outstanding fielding skills, which earned him a Gold Glove Award.

In summary, George Brett’s legacy as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, particularly as a third baseman, is well-established. He is best remembered as one of the top pure hitters of the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s, finishing his career with over 3,000 hits and a lifetime batting average above .300.