Description
Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett. Dave Winfield, Nolan Ryan and Robin Yount. Cal Ripken Jr., Ryne Sandberg, Tony Gwynn and, of course, George Brett.
Are these remarkable, enduring, enthusiastic athletes – and so few others – the last of a group which in reality enjoys playing baseball even as achieving such remarkable success?
Now that Brett has retired after a spectacular career spanning 21 seasons, it is time to put his contributions to the sport in historical standpoint and, yes, ask whether or not the outstanding players who come along after George and his few hard-charging contemporaries can measure as much as his legacy.
Either way, we will likely be a very long time looking ahead to the following George Brett.