George Brett watches from close distance as Royals strive for glory
CHICAGO -- As the Royals started inching closer and closer to a playoff berth for the first time since 1985, general manager Dayton Moore invited over a dozen organizational officials and scouts to Chicago to possibly be part of a celebration.
One of those invited, of course, was George Brett, who still holds the title of vice president of baseball operations.
Brett arrived Thursday morning, attended that night's game, and enjoyed a long, thoughtful walk along the shores of Lake Michigan with Moore on Friday morning.
"He's handling this OK," Brett said of Moore. "But we'll see how (nervous) he is in the third inning tonight. We all will be (nervous)."
As much as Brett wants this playoff berth for the city and himself after such a long postseason absence, Brett was adamant that he won't partake in the postgame ceremonies in the clubhouse.
"No, no," he said, shaking his head. "I hope it comes tonight. And I will plan my trip to the (clubhouse) after the celebration is over.
"I didn't get any hits. I didn't score any runs. I also didn't make any errors for the first time ever.
"I'll just stand by the door if I go to it. It's not my place to be down there. It's their place. These guys are the ones that busted their ass all year.
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"These are the guys that everyone wrote off when they were seven or eight games back, and then came back, and fell behind again, and then everyone gave up on them again. They are the ones that deserve (the champagne). I've been there, done that."
Reminded that Brett indeed played a part in the team's success when he took over as interim hitting coach for part of last season, he still shook off the notion that he should be part of the clubhouse fun.
"We didn't do it last year," he said. "If we had won last year, I would have done it last year.
"Look, I don't have an office at the stadium. I don't sit and analyze stuff. I'm just ... just a blast from the past."
But make no mistake, Brett is all-in in terms of his emotions toward the team.
"This would mean the world to me," he said.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
