This seems to be the summer of George Brett.

Brett emerged from his comfortable existence as Kansas City's most-renowned citizen and low-key club vice president to step in as the Royals' interim hitting coach in late May. That came 20 years after he'd retired as an active player in 1993.

In July, there was a fuss made over the 30th anniversary of his famous Pine Tar Game in 1983. He held news conferences in both New York and Kansas City to discuss the event.

Then Brett decided to step out of his coaching role, which occasioned another news conference in Kansas City to discuss that. That came roughly two months after the news conference in St. Louis to discuss why he'd taken it on in the first place.

And now, wouldn't you know, Brett is the object of attention again, because Friday marks the 40th anniversary of his first Major League game on Aug. 2, 1973.

"Another anniversary," Brett said. "I promise you there will be no press conference for this one."

No, and Brett is morphing back into his more laid-back life as a Kansas City icon as well as a club executive and valued advisor of general manager Dayton Moore. Also, as husband and father. Brett and wife Leslie took off this week to spend time at a family ranch in Idaho. So he's not around to reminisce about his first day in the Majors, a game against the White Sox at Chicago's old Comiskey Park.