Ken Brett---1971
For Ken Brett, it had to be difficult to
labeled, “the next Lefty Grove,” then
watch as his younger brother,
George, hit his way into the Baseball
Hall of Fame. However, Ken really
had a nice major league career.
While most clubs wanted to draft Ken
as a hitter, it was the Red Sox who
selected the elder Brett as a pitcher
with the fourth overall pick of the
1966 draft. Possessing an electric
fastball, Brett found himself in Bean
Town at the close of the 1967
season. With Boston lefty Sparky
Lyle nursing a sore elbow, Brett was
added to the post-season roster as
Commissioner William Eckert
approved the emergency roster
maneuver.
Thus, World Series history was
written when the 19-year-old Brett
took the mound in the eighth inning
of Game 4. While the Red Sox
eventually lost the contest to the Bob
Gibson led Cardinals, Brett shut out
the Cardinals for an inning to
become the youngest pitcher in
World Series history.
labeled, “the next Lefty Grove,” then
watch as his younger brother,
George, hit his way into the Baseball
Hall of Fame. However, Ken really
had a nice major league career.
While most clubs wanted to draft Ken
as a hitter, it was the Red Sox who
selected the elder Brett as a pitcher
with the fourth overall pick of the
1966 draft. Possessing an electric
fastball, Brett found himself in Bean
Town at the close of the 1967
season. With Boston lefty Sparky
Lyle nursing a sore elbow, Brett was
added to the post-season roster as
Commissioner William Eckert
approved the emergency roster
maneuver.
Thus, World Series history was
written when the 19-year-old Brett
took the mound in the eighth inning
of Game 4. While the Red Sox
eventually lost the contest to the Bob
Gibson led Cardinals, Brett shut out
the Cardinals for an inning to
become the youngest pitcher in
World Series history.
"Nothing ever fazed him. We had no hesitation about putting him on the World Series
roster, none at all," Dick Williams, Boston's manager that year, recalled to the Boston
Globe following Brett’s unfortunate passing from brain cancer in 2003. "He had the guts
of a burglar."
Though Brett would go just 83-85 during his career, the southpaw showed moments of
brilliance on the mound and at the plate.
Twice Brett took no-hitters into the ninth inning, only to see them turn into one- or two-hit
affairs. Representing the hometown Pirates, Brett was the winning pitcher for the
National League in the 1974 Mid-Summer Night Classic.
And, Brett probably laughed when the American League passed the Designated Hitter
rule in 1973.
After all, he was also accomplished with the lumber, hitting .262 with ten long flies during
his career. Brett even set a home run mark for pitchers, clearing the fence in four
consecutive starts while hurling for the Phillies in 1973.
Despite bouncing around both leagues, playing for ten different clubs, Ken did
accomplish many highlights during his 14 seasons in the big leagues.
So, here’s to Ken Brett, and all the older brothers, who blazed the path for younger
brothers throughout history.
(6/29/09)
roster, none at all," Dick Williams, Boston's manager that year, recalled to the Boston
Globe following Brett’s unfortunate passing from brain cancer in 2003. "He had the guts
of a burglar."
Though Brett would go just 83-85 during his career, the southpaw showed moments of
brilliance on the mound and at the plate.
Twice Brett took no-hitters into the ninth inning, only to see them turn into one- or two-hit
affairs. Representing the hometown Pirates, Brett was the winning pitcher for the
National League in the 1974 Mid-Summer Night Classic.
And, Brett probably laughed when the American League passed the Designated Hitter
rule in 1973.
After all, he was also accomplished with the lumber, hitting .262 with ten long flies during
his career. Brett even set a home run mark for pitchers, clearing the fence in four
consecutive starts while hurling for the Phillies in 1973.
Despite bouncing around both leagues, playing for ten different clubs, Ken did
accomplish many highlights during his 14 seasons in the big leagues.
So, here’s to Ken Brett, and all the older brothers, who blazed the path for younger
brothers throughout history.
(6/29/09)
