Outstanding Kansas Citian

Baseball Hall of Fame honoree, George Brett, has been named the 2013 Outstanding Kansas Citian by The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City. Brett, who played his entire professional baseball career for the Kansas City Royals, made baseball history during his 21-year career with the Royals, and has been active in Kansas City business and sports projects since his retirement as a third baseman in 1994.

View the list of past Outstanding Kansas Citians

The recommendation of the committee was brought before the Executive Board at the December meeting and approved unanimously.  The selection of George Brett to receive the 2013 OKC award continues a tradition began in 1973 to recognize our contemporaries who have placed Kansas City in the history books.

George Howard Brett is an extraordinary Kansas Citian. His accomplishments have forever etched Kansas City in the annals of baseball history. Born in 1953, Brett began minor league play in 1971 and was promoted to the Royals in August of 1973. He continued to play for the Royals until his retirement in April of 1994. His baseball awards and records are many -- he is one of four players in major league baseball history to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs and a career batting average of .300.

This year’s award ceremony is scheduled for November 6 in the Kia Diamond Club at Kauffman Stadium.  Our incoming president, Chuck Eddy, stated in one of our planning meetings, “When one thinks of the past two events at the Kauffman Center honoring Julia Irene Kauffman in 2011 and Marilyn Maye in 2012, one has to ask, what we can do next?  Honoring George Brett in this special venue overlooking home plate and the baseball diamond will be another grand evening.”

In addition to recognizing an outstanding member of the community served by the Native Sons and Daughters, the annual OKC event has become a major fundraising activity that allows our organization to finance programs to promote and preserve area history. The OKC events of the past two years have provided more than $30,000 to be used for historical markers and to offset costs of bus tours, Meet and Greets, newsletters, awards to area students and other programs fulfilling the mission of the organization.

Tickets to this year’s event will remain at $150, with table sponsorships available for $1200.

Members of The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City – mark your calendars and invite your friends for this very special evening. Watch your NSDKC emails and newsletters for additional information.