Brett Set to Retire as Player : Baseball: Future Hall of Famer will work in Royals’ front office.

George Brett, considered the greatest player in Kansas City Royal history, decided Thursday night that he will retire at the end of this season, according to sources close to Brett.

Brett is expected to publicly announce his decision Saturday in Kansas City. He will remain in the organization as a vice president, accepting an agreement that will pay him in excess of $200,000 a year until the year 2000.

Brett was expected to inform Royal General Manager Herk Robinson of his decision late Thursday or this morning.

“George knows there’s nothing left for him to accomplish,” a source said. “I think he knew all along that this would be his last year, but he just wanted to make sure. The only doubts he has about the decision is the way he’s been hitting lately.”

Brett is batting .375 in the midst of a season-high, 10-game hitting streak. He hit his 17th home run Thursday, his highest total since 1988. Little wonder why Manager Hal McRae has attempted to persuade Brett to play another year.

Brett, however, has told friends and family that a 20-year career is enough. He’s ready to spend time with his family. He was married for the first time last year, and the couple have a six-month-old son.

Brett began finalizing his decision this week when he and agent Dennis Gilbert entered contract negotiations Monday with Robinson in Oakland. Robinson proposed a one-year contract in 1994 if he remained a player, and a seven-year vice president’s contract, which was modified as late as Thursday.

Brett discussed the options with his family and told his wife and brothers that he would retire.

Brett, 40, from El Segundo High, joined Willie Mays and Hank Aaron this season as the only players in baseball to obtain 3,000 hits, 300 homers and 200 stolen bases in their careers. He is a 13-time All-Star and the only player in baseball to win batting titles in three decades.

“I have more admiration for him than any player in the game,” said Gordon Lakey, veteran Toronto Blue Jay scout. “There’s no one I’ve enjoyed watching more in the last 15 years. His retirement will be the first one that has really affected me. Believe me, watching baseball in Kansas City will never be the same.”

Angel coach John Wathan, who played alongside Brett and later managed him in Kansas City, said he was told Wednesday by a family member that Brett indeed would retire. The game will miss Brett, Wathan said, more than Brett will miss the game.

‘Sometimes when you play alongside a buddy,” Wathan said, “you don’t appreciate his talent. That wasn’t the case with George. I’ve always had a strong feeling that he’d be in the Hall of Fame. There was just something special about him.

“I’ve got so many great memories of him, and he has meant so much to that organization, but the thing about George is that he always respected the game. My son has a quote from George on his wall, and I’ll never forget it:

“ ‘When I go out there for my last at-bat, I want to hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, and bust my butt to first, to show the young players how the game is supposed to be played.’

“That tells you all you need to know about George Brett.”