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BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Brett Honored, Then Gets Two Hits

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<i> Associated Press</i>

George Brett, who has feuded from time to time with Royals’ owner Ewing Kauffman, received the ball he hit for his 3,000th hit from Kauffman during a pregame ceremony at Kansas City.

“George, you surpass almost all baseball greats and in the hearts of millions of your fans, you are the best,” Kauffman said.

Governors of five states--the Royals draw from a wide Midwestern area--proclaimed Saturday as George Brett Day. President Bush sent a congratulatory telegram.

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Brett’s family, Royal officials and players and local politicians were among those gathered on the field before the ceremony while Brett sat in the dugout and watched highlights of his career on a large television screen.

“I thank my teammates. I thank my teammates in the past. I thank my managers. I thank my trainers, especially my trainers,” the oft-injured star said.

Near the end of his speech, Brett looked into the Minnesota dugout to find Kirby Puckett and said, “Kirby, this is going to be you someday.

Given yet another standing ovation in the first inning, Brett delivered a single to right for hit No. 3,002. He added a double in the sixth inning.

Catcher Tony Pena, 35, has signed a contract extension with the Red Sox through the 1993 season. . . . First-year Manager Phil Garner received a one-year contract extension through the 1995 season after guiding the Milwaukee Brewers to a 92-69 record with one game remaining. . . . Portland, Me., and West Haven, Conn., were awarded the two double-A expansion franchises scheduled to begin play in the Eastern League in 1994.

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