Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 14, 1990 TAG: 9007140122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DOUG BROWN THE BALTIMORE EVENING SUN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When the Kansas City Royals' first baseman doubled Wednesday night in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, it was hit No. 2,600 in his career.
When Brett doubled again in the third inning, it was his 528th hit of that denomination, tying him with Orioles manager Frank Robinson on the all-time list.
And when Brett doubled for the third time, in the ninth, he moved ahead of Robinson into a tie with Al Oliver for 17th place.
The three doubles tied a one-game club record, as well as Brett's personal high.
And what did Brett think of all this? Not a lot, apparently.
"I didn't know it was 2,600," Brett said. "No one gave me the ball or anything. Later, a clubhouse boy got me a ball to mark the occasion.
"In doubles, well, I know I passed Frank, but I don't know who's next or who's in first."
Next is Cap Anson with 530. The list is headed by Tris Speaker, with 793. The significant thing is that of the 16 players ahead of Brett and Oliver, 15 are in the Hall of Fame. The 16th, Pete Rose, doubtless will be.
Brett is the 53rd player to reach the 2,600-hit milestone. He passed Steve Garvey (2,599) Wednesday night, and he will pass Rabbit Maranville (2,605) next. Then, surely, Jimmie Foxx (2,646) and Ted Williams and Lafayette Cross (both 2,654).
At the age of 37 and in his 17th season, Brett may not be quite what he used to be. What he used to be was a hitter of such talent that one year, 1980, he batted .390.
He remains a serviceable hitter, batting third in the Kansas City order. Coming into the season, he was batting .310 lifetime. After Wednesday night, he was batting .273, with two home runs and 30 RBI.
"He didn't have many home runs the first half, but he's still a clutch hitter who can give you a lift," said John Wathan, the Royals' manager. "Last year he was hitting .245 at the halfway point, yet wound up at .282 and with 80 RBI. I look for him to have a great second half."
John Mayberry, Kansas City's hitting coach, played with Brett for five years when Brett first joined the Royals. Mayberry sees no change in Brett.
"He hasn't lost it," Mayberry said. "He was a good hitter when he first came up, and he's a good hitter now.
"He's swinging good, hitting balls hard even though they're not always dropping. Sometimes he'll swing at bad balls, but a guy does that even when he's hitting .390."
Milestones are the least of Brett's concerns. What concerns him most is Kansas City's 36-46 record, last in the American League West, 15 1/2 games behind first-place Oakland.
"It seems we've played this tune 100 times - we just can't get on track," Brett said. "The only thing about being last is that you have nowhere to go but up."
It was of some solace to Brett that the Royals bounced back from two-run deficit with a five-run rally in the third inning.
"That showed character," Brett said. "I noticed in the paper that we have just about the same record as Milwaukee. The fans in Milwaukee are still behind the Brewers, but we're getting whupped by fans back home."
Brett took a deep breath and offered a prediction.
"This is my 17th year and we've never been in last place," he said. "I guarantee one thing - we won't be last this year, either."
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB