Royals’ legend Brett goes ballistic!
ROYALS LEGEND, GEORGE BRETT (pictured above), RIPS KC SPORTS MEDIA by Wayne Hodges
KANSAS CITY, MO – On Monday, May 18th, Royals baseball Hall-of-Famer George Brett went berserk during an interview with NBC Action News. The profanity-laced tirade, which took place at the Joe McGuff ALS Golf Classic tournament, was directed at the Kansas City sports media for what Brett considered to be excessive criticism of the Royals organization; more specifically, KC manager Trey Hillman. Brett, who’s currently in his 16th year as the Royals Vice President of Baseball Operations, ripped into NBC Action Sports Director Jack Harry. Then insisted that the sports guys in town “don’t know what they’re talking about.” Obviously, the “potty mouth” remarks were a complete shock to the fans and media. After all, Brett is viewed by many in the public as a Kansas City icon. But, I was surprised at his rude outburst for a totally different reason.
The Royals, for the better part of the last 15 years, have received very little negative press from the Kansas City media; despite the fact the team has been flat awful during the same stretch. Could it be apathy? Maybe. But you can only beat a dead horse for so long. And, believe me, the Royals have been playing without a pulse for quite some time now. For instance, KC hasn’t made a playoff appearance since Michael J. Fox went “Back to the Future” in good ‘ole 1985. Even the hapless Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA and the sad-sack Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL have participated in the postseason since then.
Oh, it gets more comical. The Royals’ home run record is a laughable 36; set by Steve Balboni in, you guessed it, 1985. Call ‘em juiced, but Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez usually have this amount by the All-Star Break. The organization that once developed such speedy outfielders as Carlos Beltran, Bo Jackson and Willie Wilson (club record 83 stolen bases in 1979), features a lineup today slower than Sprint’s customer service. And scouting has been equally atrocious in recent years as countless high draft picks flamed-out at the big league level. Do the names Colt Griffin, Jeff Austin and Dan Reichert ring a bell?
See, I’m a firm believer you get what you pay for. Royals executives, and some of the media, are quick to gloat about this year’s club record $71 million payroll. But, keep in mind; when compared to the salaries of other Major League Baseball (MLB) franchises, the Royals’ account payable appears to be nothing more than a bunch of bread crumbs. Check this out. The New York Yankees have a 2009 payroll of a whopping $201 million. The Chicago Cubs are dishing out $135 million to their players. The Detroit Tigers, a team in the Royals’ division, has a salary pool of $115 million. And, the Chicago White Sox, another division rival of KC, has a payroll of roughly $96 million. Only the Minnesota Twins, occupants of that dump called the “Metrodome,” have a lower budget within the American League Central than the Royals. Yet, we’re supposed to get excited over salaries that comprise only a third (35%) of what the Yankees are forking out? Please, give me a break?
The ineptness of the Royals organization, in my opinion, starts at the top. Sure, we can blame GM Dayton Moore and Hillman for KC’s recent struggles. But, that would be hitting below the belt. Royals owner David Glass (pictured above), considered by many fans and media to be “Wal-Mart” cheap, was recently ranked the third-worst owner in baseball by Sports Illustrated. The criteria used in the rankings are based on the following five factors: 1) success or failure on the field, 2) willingness to spend cash to improve the ball club, 3)stability and capabilities of the front office and management, 4) amenities at the team’s venue, and 5) the organization’s culture and interaction with fans. The ranking may be disappointing to many of you, but it’s certainly hard to argue against. Especially when taking into account the Royals have averaged 90+ losses a year since Glass purchased the ball club on April 18, 2000.
Glass, the former CEO of Sam Walton’s retail empire, has managed the finances of the Royals organization in a similar thrifty fashion; despite receiving annual lump sums of cash from MLB owners as part of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. This is significant because there’s only three ways to win consistently in professional sports: 1) Spend wisely on elite and/or highly productive free agents. 2) Execute good trades. And, 3) scout, draft and develop young talent. The Royals, since Ewing Kauffman’s death in 1993, have performed poorly in all three areas. And the product on the field is evidence of that. It should be noted, however, the players are giving great effort; even if it’s not resulting in many victories. “We know we’re not playing up to our capabilities. That’s for sure,” said Royals center fielder Coco Crisp. “We’ve just got to figure out a way, individually, to play to our potential.”
Sorry Mr. Crisp. But, playing the ‘potential’ card will only carry you so far. Eventually, physical talent has to prevail. And, the Royals, to be candid, are completely famished in this department. For example, I can push myself to run a 4.3 in a 40-yard-dash. But, the chances of that happening are basically slim to none. Why? I simply lack the physical tools and talent necessary to achieve the goal. See where I’m going with this? Many of the players in the Royals’ club-house suffer from similar shortcomings. Crisp, Mark Teahen, Billy Butler, David DeJesus, Jose Guillen, John Buck, Alex Gordon and Mike Jacobs are just OK. They’re not championship caliber players. Seriously, nobody in Major League Baseball is afraid of Kansas City’s lineup.
Brett, along with other Royals officials, wants everyone to remain patient. But, hell, 15 years of bad baseball is bound to attract sour grapes sooner or later, right? Especially after Jackson County taxpayers voted “yes” on the question in 2006 to hand over $250 million to Glass for Kauffman Stadium renovations. Today, the Royals have a beautiful, remodeled stadium occupied by a talent-starved, last place baseball team. I’m quite sure this is not what voters had in mind three years ago.
In hindsight, rather than add new stores and amenities to the venue, Royals executives should’ve used the taxpayers’ money to renovate what has now become a punch-less lineup. Fans will show up to watch the team play in a cardboard box as long as they’re winning. Hey, Brett may be right about the media. The sports guys in this town may not have a damn clue what they’re talking about. However, there’s no denying the ineptitude of the Royals organization the last two decades. And it doesn’t take a journalist, sports radio analyst, or athlete to draw this conclusion.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the editor of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also an adjunct professor, MPA at Kansas University, and legislative intern with the Kansas Senate. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
To see George Brett rip into the media, click the play arrow.
May 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
David Glass must understand you can’t run a baseball franchise like Wal-Mart. Cheaper doesn’t mean better in the big leagues.
May 25th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I lost alot of respect for Mr. Brett after this outburst. His language was totally uncalled for. And he embarassed himself in front of those who cherish and admire him most. He is obviously upset and frustrated with the media, but at his age he should know how to manage his anger, and express himself in an intelligent manner. I’m very disappointed.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Brett calm down brother. Everything’s gonna be ok. The team is just in a funk. No need to lose control.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Instead of picking on the media, Brett should’ve cursed out the front office for putting this weak team together.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:35 am
My, how the mighty have fallen?
May 28th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Tell ‘em George! These media freaks like to talk a bunch of smack and can’t back it up.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:43 am
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
May 30th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Steve, you said “how the mighty have fallen?” Looks to me, the mighty fell 20 years ago and can’t get up.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Why don’t KC replace Trey Hillman with Frank White and let him manage the club? He coached the minor league team for a few years and he knows the strenghs and weaknesses of all the players. It couldn’t hurt to give Frank a chance.
June 6th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
When you can’t hit, and can’t run, it’s hard to win baseball games. I don’t care how good the pitching is.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Dayton Moore should fire the scouting dept a.s.a.p.
July 25th, 2009 at 5:36 am
I see no reason at all to comment about the Royals or Mr. Glass. Especially since it’s obvious that his brain is made of glass.Well okay,David Glass is treating the Royals strictly as his source of income. And what the fans need to understand is that when you shop at Walmart,you get what you pay for.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
And the first pick in the 2010 MLB Draft goes to…the Kansas City Royals. The only thing cool about this team is the mascot SLUGGER. KC sucks!!!
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