Ken Brett pitched fourteen years in the majors, and was an All-Star in 1974 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his playing career ended, he was a fun broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners and California Angels.
He died of cancer in 2003.
As an 18-year-old rookie in 1967, he appeared twice in the 1967 World Series for the Boston Red Sox.
When his brother George broke in during the 1973 season, Ken was already in his sixth major league season, one in which he went 13-9.
He pitched with 10 teams in his career, getting 83 wins.
During the years 1973-96, when AL pitchers rarely batted, Brett's total of 12 at-bats for the 1976 Chicago White Sox, the single-season record for that post-DH period. No other pitcher had more than 3.
He was a remarkably good hitter. He had a lifetime batting average of .262. With the 1973 Philadelphia Phillies, he drove in 16 runs with a .462 slugging percentage.
During the 1973 season, he homered in four consecutive games. With the 1974 Pirates, he hit .310 and drove in 15 runs.
Faced his brother 20 times in his career, giving up 6 hits, 2 doubles and 1 RBI.
Along with brothers George, Bobby and J.B., Ken bought the Spokane Indians in 1985. They have also purchased the Spokane Chiefs minor league hockey team, the Tri-City Dust Devils, as well as the Desert Mavericks.
He had arm trouble, curtailing what otherwise would have been a stellar pitching career - and would probably have been better off as an outfielder.
