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Phillips' 'Maverick' nickname not linked to 'Top Gun'

ST. PETERSBURG -- When Players' Weekend rolls around starting Friday, Royals outfielder Brett Phillips will have "Maverick" on the back of his jersey.

"Everyone thinks it's because of 'Top Gun' and the character in that," Phillips said, "but it's not."

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The story of how Brett Phillips became known as Maverick starts when his father, Brett, was young and a popular television series known as "Maverick," starring James Garner, aired. Garner's character was named Bret Maverick.

"When my dad was younger, his dad used to call him Brett Maverick and then when my dad came of age to have a family, he wanted to name a child 'Brett Maverick Phillips," Phillips said.