Thirty-nine years ago (5/27/1974) LHP Ken Brett pitched one of his best games. Pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he took a no hitter into the 9th inning, giving up a hit before shuting out the Padres. It was the first game of a double header, and it was Brett who would deliver a two-run pinch hit triple to lead the Pirates to a comeback 8-7 victory in the double header sweep. Brett's brother George gets all the credit he deserves for his Hall of Fame career and 3000 plus hits. George established himself as one of the premier hitters of his generation. Some do not even know George had a MLB brother let alone a brother that pitched for 14 seasons.
The older Brett made his MLB debut September 27th in 1967, giving up a run in two innings in a 6-0 loss to the Indians. He was just 18 years of age, but would end up pitching in two games in the 1967 World Series against the Cardinals. Brett would not pitch in the majors in 1968, but return for 1969-1971. He made 8 starts in 1969 before having a solid season in 1970, going 8-9, 4.07 in 41 games, 14 starts. After 1971, he was traded to Milwaukee in a 10 player trade that featured George Scott and Tommy Harper. A year later, he was moved to Philadephia in a 7 player trade that sent John Vukovich to the Brewers. After the next offseason, he was sent to the Pirates for Dave Cash. His two seasons in Pittsburgh were decent, and Brett pitched in the NLCS for the Pirates in 1974 and 1975. During the offseason of 1975, he was sent to the Yankees with Willie Randolph and Dock Ellis in a trade for Doc Medich. He didn't last in NY long as he was sent to the White Sox in May of 1976 for Carlos May. A little over a year later, he was sent to the Angels in a trade for 3 players. Brett was traded six times in 4 years and 7 months.
Brett would play for 10 teams in his career, including his final two seasons in Kansas City with his brother. The Royals won the AL Pennant in 1980, but Brett did not make the postseason roster. His last MLB appearance came at age 32 on October 3, 1981 against Oakland. His line was almost identical to his 1967 debut: 2 innings, 1 ER, GF as the Royals lost to the Athletics 8-4.
In an era where pitcher's hitting was overlooked, Brett could swing the bat. He hit .262 for his career with 10 HR and 44 RBI to go with 18 2Bs in 347 career at bats. His career OPS was .698; a number comparible to a lot of every day players. Brett's ability to hit was hidden when he was traded from the Pirates to the Yankees. Though the White Sox used him as a pinch hitter in 1976, he would not bat until he was with the Dodgers in 1979. His 1977 season split between the White Sox and Angels was his best season. He made 34 starts, going 13-14, 4.53 in 224 2/3 IP. His second consecutive 200+ IP season was only the 3rd of his career, held back because of injury and inconsistent pitching.
After he finished pitched, Brett got into broadcasting with the Mariners and Angels. Along with his brothers, he purchased a minor league baseball team as well as a minor league hockey team. He also managed the Utica Blue Sox in 1985, leading them to a 35-41 record and a 7th place finish. Sadly, Brett died of cancer in November of 2003, less than 10 years ago.
The older Brett made his MLB debut September 27th in 1967, giving up a run in two innings in a 6-0 loss to the Indians. He was just 18 years of age, but would end up pitching in two games in the 1967 World Series against the Cardinals. Brett would not pitch in the majors in 1968, but return for 1969-1971. He made 8 starts in 1969 before having a solid season in 1970, going 8-9, 4.07 in 41 games, 14 starts. After 1971, he was traded to Milwaukee in a 10 player trade that featured George Scott and Tommy Harper. A year later, he was moved to Philadephia in a 7 player trade that sent John Vukovich to the Brewers. After the next offseason, he was sent to the Pirates for Dave Cash. His two seasons in Pittsburgh were decent, and Brett pitched in the NLCS for the Pirates in 1974 and 1975. During the offseason of 1975, he was sent to the Yankees with Willie Randolph and Dock Ellis in a trade for Doc Medich. He didn't last in NY long as he was sent to the White Sox in May of 1976 for Carlos May. A little over a year later, he was sent to the Angels in a trade for 3 players. Brett was traded six times in 4 years and 7 months.
Brett would play for 10 teams in his career, including his final two seasons in Kansas City with his brother. The Royals won the AL Pennant in 1980, but Brett did not make the postseason roster. His last MLB appearance came at age 32 on October 3, 1981 against Oakland. His line was almost identical to his 1967 debut: 2 innings, 1 ER, GF as the Royals lost to the Athletics 8-4.
In an era where pitcher's hitting was overlooked, Brett could swing the bat. He hit .262 for his career with 10 HR and 44 RBI to go with 18 2Bs in 347 career at bats. His career OPS was .698; a number comparible to a lot of every day players. Brett's ability to hit was hidden when he was traded from the Pirates to the Yankees. Though the White Sox used him as a pinch hitter in 1976, he would not bat until he was with the Dodgers in 1979. His 1977 season split between the White Sox and Angels was his best season. He made 34 starts, going 13-14, 4.53 in 224 2/3 IP. His second consecutive 200+ IP season was only the 3rd of his career, held back because of injury and inconsistent pitching.
After he finished pitched, Brett got into broadcasting with the Mariners and Angels. Along with his brothers, he purchased a minor league baseball team as well as a minor league hockey team. He also managed the Utica Blue Sox in 1985, leading them to a 35-41 record and a 7th place finish. Sadly, Brett died of cancer in November of 2003, less than 10 years ago.
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