LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory will honor Kansas City Royals great George Brett with its Living Legend Award.
Brett played his entire Hall of Fame career with the Royals, primarily manning third base. He amassed 317 home runs, 3,154 hits and 1,596 RBI while batting .305 over his 21 years, winning the American League MVP Award in 1980, the 1985 World Series and being named to the MLB All-Star game 13 times. He also is the only player in MLB history to win the batting title in three different decades, batting for the best average in the AL in 1976, 1980 and 1990.
He was inducted into Cooperstown in 1999 with over 98% of the vote.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named this year’s Living Legend,” said Brett. “Louisville Slugger bats were a part of my career from the very beginning, and it means a lot to be recognized by a place that’s so deeply tied to baseball’s history.”
A Louisville Slugger was at the center of one of Brett’s most iconic career moments: the pine tar incident. On July 24, 1983, Brett hit a go-ahead two-run home run against the Yankees, but New York manager Billy Martin challenged the hit, saying Brett had too much pine tar on his bat. The umpires agreed and ruled the homer invalid and Brett charged out of the dugout to furiously protest the ruling. The scene became one of the most iconic in baseball history, showing the Royals’ legend’s passion and competitive spirit for the game of baseball.
Brett also has etched an unexpected place in pop culture history as the inspiration for Lorde’s 2013 breakout hit “Royals.”
The Living Legend Award was introduced in 2007 by the Slugger Museum as a way to recognize baseball greats who have made legendary contributions to the game and society and celebrate their excellence, integrity and impact.
The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory will honor Kansas City Royals great George Brett with its Living Legend Award.(Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory)
Brett joins other baseball icons like Henry Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson and fellow 80s’ third baseman, Mike Schmidt.
The Living Legend Award Ceremony is on Thursday, Nov. 13. Fans can purchase a limited edition commemorative bat that will be signed by Brett. It will be a replica of his T85 model that he used for most of his Hall of Fame career. The bat will cost $499.99 and includes two tickets to the celebration, plus hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
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