OK, now today I post a card that was a tough one for me, my choice for the American League's top third baseman of the 1970s, and I went with George Brett:
Originally
I did go with Graig Nettles, since he did put in a full decade in the
league and put up some excellent power numbers while helping the New
York Yankees to two World Championships.
However,
I reconsidered and decided that this guy, as much as I hated him as a
young Yankee fan growing up in Brooklyn at that time, was just tops and
deserved the "honor".
Brett
made his Big League debut in 1973 with 13 games for the Kansas City
Royals, the only team he'd suit up for over his magnificent 21 year
career.
In that initial showing he hit .125 with five hits in 40 at-bats, including two doubles and two runs scored.
The following season he'd be here to stay, finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year race in
1974, hitting .282 with 129 hits, 49 runs scored and 47 runs batted in
over 133 games for the Kansas City Royals.
He’d have his breakout season quickly, leading the league with 195 hits as well as 13 triples in 1975 before winning his first batting title a year later when he hit .333 with a league-leading 215 hits and 14 triples.
He’d have his breakout season quickly, leading the league with 195 hits as well as 13 triples in 1975 before winning his first batting title a year later when he hit .333 with a league-leading 215 hits and 14 triples.
His 1979 season is just not appreciated enough!
That
season Brett led the league with 212 hits and 20 triples, while also
collecting 42 doubles, 23 homers, 107 runs batted in and 119 runs
scored, hitting .329 and also stealing 17 bases!
This was arguably his best season overall for his career, and remember, he hit .390 the following year!
The man was born to hit, and would finish his career with 3154 hits, a
.305 average, 317 homers and let’s not forget the 201 stolen bases and
137 triples!
The 13-time all-star was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1993, getting named to 98.2% of the ballot, while taking home the MVP in 1980 after his magical .390 hitting season, while finishing second twice and third once.
Legend!
The 13-time all-star was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1993, getting named to 98.2% of the ballot, while taking home the MVP in 1980 after his magical .390 hitting season, while finishing second twice and third once.
Legend!