THE GEORGE BRETT STORY

The young, hectic life of Kansas City's all-star third baseman--who last season batted .390, led the Royals to their first American League pennant, and won the circuit's MVP award. In this resourcefully reported but otherwise routine sports bio, Garrity follows the fun-loving Brett's career from the Little League diamonds of El Segundo, Calif., through his three-run homer off of Goose Gossage, which clinched a playoff sweep of the New York Yankees for the AL championship. (Wisely, Garrity doesn't dwell on the World Series--when, among other things, Brett was kept out of the opening-game lineup by a case of hemorrhoids.) The youngest of four brothers, George didn't show exceptional athletic prowess as a boy; the family comer was brother Ken. But his ambitious, demanding dad saw to it that he had a chance at pro ball. In August 1973, after a middling minor-league stint, Brett was called up to the Royals as a replacement for injured Paul Schaal. Under the tutelage of coach Charley Lau (a.k.a. the Svengali of Swat), his batting average improved appreciably; he became a feared slugger, averaging well over .300 a season, and won the first of his two AL batting titles in 1976. Off the field, he stayed very much in sight--viz. his vaudeville turn with K.C. stripper Morganna. Now, though, Brett says he's putting down roots--at the ripe old age of 28. It's a premature wrap-up, and only skin-deep--but okay for ardent fans.