Home of the Kit Pellow Fan Association

Collecting Cleveland Baseball Since 1982

Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.

WAR Room: George Brett, if, Kansas City Royals

2023 Topps Transcendent Collection George Brett
2023 Topps Transcendent Collection George Brett

WAR Room: George Brett, if, Kansas City Royals

I met George Brett once. 2001 or 2002. It was after an Omaha Royals game. Very late. There were three people there. A grandma, her grandson, and myself. He had been drinking and was remarkably unpleasant. Twenty-plus years later I still think about that experience anytime I am about to meet a player from my childhood–and why I would much rather pay for an autograph than get on in person.

He might be a cranky person, but he was an amazing ballplayer. Three-time batting champion, 13-time All-Star, 1980 MVP, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999. He also is #48 in career WAR, with 88.6. Mike Trout (86.3) will almost certainly pass him up this season. Verlander (81.1) is not all that far behind either.