Twitter, tweeter, twooter

There are a few very rare exceptions, but generally an up-and-coming ballplayer, no matter how talented, is going to struggle at some point early in his big league career.

No one knows this better than George Brett, who remembers a time when no one was paying attention to his ascent through the Royals' farm system. The focus and the magazine covers were all about Clint Hurdle. Brett, on the other hand, went about his business in relative obscurity. And he liked it that way.?p>

"I don't think anyone knew who I was," Brett said. "No one was aware of what George Brett was doing in Billings, MT in 1971."?p>

It was a luxury today's players don't get to enjoy, according to Brett, thanks to the Internet and social media.

"Twitter, tweeter, twooter," he said. "Nowadays, you can find out anything. The expectations on these kids are higher."

-- Alyson Footer