George Brett’S Future Has Indians’ Affiliation Up In Air

Whether the Spokane Indians continue their six-year association with the Kansas City Royals may depend on whether the Royals continue their 29-year association with George Brett.

Those are two separate issues: Spokane’s player development contract with the Royals and Brett’s position as vice president of baseball operations with the Royals.

But a happy George Brett would mean happiness among the Brett family, which owns the Indians. That, in turn, would mean a continuation of Spokane’s affiliation.

The local Northwest League team and the American League parent club agreed to their current two-year PDC in September 1998, continuing a partnership that began during the 1995 season.

The agreement officially ends on Sept. 25, slightly before George Brett’s contract expires.

“We’re kind of being cautious because George’s contract is coming up in October and he’s talking about an extension,” said Indians co-owner Bobby Brett.

“But if that blew up, I don’t know if we’d want to stay with the Royals.”

The Bretts have leverage because Spokane is a plum in the NWL, and George Brett’s name carries a lot of weight in the baseball world.

Several major league teams, including those already in the short-season Class A NWL and others who wish to join the league, have contacted the Indians since the regular season ended. The attraction is the league’s top field - voted by managers for four consecutive seasons - and Spokane’s honor as attendance champion.

PDCs in Yakima (Los Angeles Dodgers), Boise (Anaheim Angels) and Eugene (Chicago Cubs) also expire this month. Although discussions with potential parent clubs are confidential, Bobby Brett hinted that any or all in that group would like a chance at Spokane’s facilities.

Hall of Famer George Brett also is an attractive commodity. Cleveland and Colorado were among the teams that talked with Brett last year about a position in their organizations, according to Bobby Brett, who serves as his brother’s advisor.

Royals owner David Glass visited Spokane last month, but he has come and gone without an official decision on George Brett or the player development contract.

“I’m very optimistic they’ll put this together, but it’s not all put together as of today,” Bobby Brett said.