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Kansas City, MO —
George Brett and all-star games were synonymous when the Hall of Famer played third base for the Kansas City Royals.
The greatest player in Royals history took part in 13 all-star games and said Thursday, at an all-star gala at Kauffman Stadium, that he will never forget his first appearance.
“It was 1976,” said Brett, recalling the year he won his first of three batting titles. “Brooks Robinson had been to something like 16 or 17 all-star games and I beat him out in the voting that year. A kid from Kansas City – and I was so nervous.
“That might have been the most nervous I ever was before a game. I don’t remember who I lockered next to. I don’t really remember much at all from that game. I just remember that I felt like I finally belonged in the big leagues, and that was a special feeling.”
Brett joined Royals owner David Glass, Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Jackson County executive Mike Sanders in an on-field press conference where he was introduced as the Ambassador for the MLB All-Star Summer.
“I can’t wait to have the game here,” Brett said, as Kauffman Stadium will be the site of the midsummer classic July 10.
“I have a lot of friends coming to town because they’re all afraid they’ll be dead the next time Kansas City hosts an All-Star Game.”
Brett recalls the days when he represented the Royals at all-star games, which were much different when he was a player.
“You’d leave for the game Sunday, get there and practice and do media stuff Monday and play Tuesday,” Brett said. “Now, it starts on Friday and runs through Tuesday and there is something for everyone.”
The MLB All-Star FanFest will run from July 6-10 at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. Brett will manage the U.S. team in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game July 8 and on the same date will play in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and serve as the starter for the MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend,” Brett said. “As you look at the stadium you can’t believe it’s 40 years old. I was a proponent for a downtown stadium, but when I look at see what they’ve done here at Kauffman, I’m happy they kept it here.”
George Brett and all-star games were synonymous when the Hall of Famer played third base for the Kansas City Royals.
The greatest player in Royals history took part in 13 all-star games and said Thursday, at an all-star gala at Kauffman Stadium, that he will never forget his first appearance.
“It was 1976,” said Brett, recalling the year he won his first of three batting titles. “Brooks Robinson had been to something like 16 or 17 all-star games and I beat him out in the voting that year. A kid from Kansas City – and I was so nervous.
“That might have been the most nervous I ever was before a game. I don’t remember who I lockered next to. I don’t really remember much at all from that game. I just remember that I felt like I finally belonged in the big leagues, and that was a special feeling.”
Brett joined Royals owner David Glass, Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Jackson County executive Mike Sanders in an on-field press conference where he was introduced as the Ambassador for the MLB All-Star Summer.
“I can’t wait to have the game here,” Brett said, as Kauffman Stadium will be the site of the midsummer classic July 10.
“I have a lot of friends coming to town because they’re all afraid they’ll be dead the next time Kansas City hosts an All-Star Game.”
Brett recalls the days when he represented the Royals at all-star games, which were much different when he was a player.
“You’d leave for the game Sunday, get there and practice and do media stuff Monday and play Tuesday,” Brett said. “Now, it starts on Friday and runs through Tuesday and there is something for everyone.”
The MLB All-Star FanFest will run from July 6-10 at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. Brett will manage the U.S. team in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game July 8 and on the same date will play in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and serve as the starter for the MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend,” Brett said. “As you look at the stadium you can’t believe it’s 40 years old. I was a proponent for a downtown stadium, but when I look at see what they’ve done here at Kauffman, I’m happy they kept it here.”
When asked for a favorite all-star memory, the man who had his No. 5 retired by the team smiled and said, “It was 1983 in Chicago. It was colder than hell and I played all nine innings. But what I really remember about that game is that I hit right behind Fred Lynn.
“He comes up with the bases loaded and hits a grand slam. I was the next batter and I hit a triple – but all anyone remembers is Freddy’s grand slam. I kept thinking, ‘If that (bleeping) manager puts me where I should have been in the lineup, I drive in three runs.’”
He laughed as he told the story, and it brought back so many memories of countless pre- and post-game interviews with the man who led the Royals to a World Series appearance in 1980 and a world championship in 1985.
We’ll never see another player like George Brett and we were so fortunate to have him play his entire career in Royal blue. Now, he’s going to be a part of an event he dominated during his playing days.
It’s fitting that an all-star be the face of this year’s classic, which will give everyone across the country and around the world the chance to see a hidden gem in Kansas City that will shine like a jewel on July 10 when the greatest players in the world hope to claim their own special all-star memories.
