Hall induction caps stellar baseball career for Barrett

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999 | 3:49 a.m.

As much as he cherishes his 1986 World Series memories, Marty Barrett has an equally special place in his heart for his years at Las Vegas' Rancho High School.

The man who still shares the Major League Baseball record for hits in a World Series (13) had quite a prep career as well, helping the Rams to a pair of state titles before graduating in 1976.

"My high school career was a lot of fun," remembered Barrett, who will be inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame Friday at the Las Vegas Hilton Pavilion.

The other honorees are former UNLV football coach Bill Ireland, retired boxing referee Davey Pearl and the Cashman Family, longtime Southern Nevada sports supporters.

"I drove myself because I wanted to represent this city well," Barrett said. "My thing was to give a little more respect for the city, as far as baseball went. I wanted to let people know that there's more to Las Vegas than gaming."

Now, at age 40, Barrett remains a proud member of the Las Vegas community. And he's more pleased than ever about the reputation Southern Nevada has gained for producing top-notch talent on the diamond.

"There have been some really good athletes to come out of here, from Marty Cordova to the Maddux brothers to Mike Morgan to Tyler Houston, and the list goes on," Barrett said. "I get a kick of seeing the kids that have come out of here. It tickles me pink."

A second baseman and shortstop at Rancho, Barrett starred for a club that made three straight trips to the state playoffs, capped by championship runs in 1974 and '76.

After playing for two years at Mesa (Ariz.) Junior College and one season at Arizona State, Barrett turned pro. He spent 10 years at the major league level, all but one with the Boston Red Sox, batting .278 with 314 RBIs for his career.

But it was the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and New York Mets that provided the stage for Barrett's greatest accomplishments. His 13 hits tied Bobby Richardson and Lou Brock for the all-time record and brought Boston to the brink of a Series title.

It wasn't to be, though, as a wild Mets rally combined with Bill Buckner's famous error combined to send the Series to a seventh game, where New York finished the job.

The Series' heartbreaking conclusion hasn't prevented Barrett from looking back on the 1986 postseason with fond memories, however.

"Without a doubt, it's the highlight of my career for two reasons," Barrett said. "First, because I always thought of myself as a real team player and our team got to the pinnacle that year. And second, because I was on top of my game during that series."

These days, Barrett serves as a color commentator for Las Vegas Stars television broadcasts and dabbles in real estate.

He said he'll consider a full-time return to professional baseball, possibly at the coaching level, but that's far down the road. For now, he's content spending as much time as possible with wife, Robin, and their three kids, Eric, 18, Katy, 13, and Kyle, 10.

"I never got a chance to coach my oldest son in baseball or basketball," said Barrett, who coaches Kyle's Little League team. "So I've told people that I would probably entertain (a return to pro baseball) when my youngest goes off to college."