A two-time first team All-American and 1984 Olympian, Surhoff batted a then-record .392 at UNC. The record stood until 2009, when Dustin Ackley, now with Seattle, batted .412 as a Tar Heel.
The Brewers were thrilled to have drafted and signed the offensive-minded catcher. However, Surhoff would not be the player his team was expecting. In nine seasons with Milwaukee, Surhoff hit only 57 homers, topping out at 13 in 1995. His 524 RBIs also left something to be desired, as Surhoff never drove in more than 79 in a season with Milwaukee. Offensive and defensive struggles, as well as nagging injuries, forced the Brewers to shift Surhoff between the infield, outfield, and designated hitter.
Following the 1995 season, Surhoff left Milwaukee via free agency. He would sign the first of two stints with Baltimore, having also spent time with Atlanta in between. During his first stint with the Orioles, Surhoff averaged 20 home runs and 85 RBIs over the course of five seasons. His best season came in a 1999 All-Star campaign, during which Surhoff belted 28 homers and drove in 107 runs while hitting .308. That season, Surhoff played in all 162 regular season games and led the American League with 673 at-bats.
Though Surhoff would go on to enjoy a productive 19-year Major League career, his best years undoubtedly were not spent in a Brewers uniform.
Adding insult to injury, Surhoff was part of an elite draft class that included Will Clark (#2), hall of famer Barry Larkin (#4), Barry Bonds (#6), and Rafael Palmeiro (#22).
In 1992, the Brewers finished just four games behind the eventual World Champion Blue Jays in the AL Eastern Division. That Brewers team lacked power and relied on the "small ball" factor, swiping an AL-best 256 bases while finishing 13th in the league with just 82 home runs. Though hindsight is always 20/20, a Will Clark or a Barry Bonds would have fit nicely in the middle of that lineup.
Though it does no good to dwell on the past, it can be interesting to contemplate what might have been. Baseball is a game of inches on the field, and a game of crucial decisions in the front office. The Brewers have not been granted the first overall draft pick since they chose Surhoff in 1985. One could argue that the Milwaukee Brewers did not make the most of their lone opportunity.
Thank you for reading, and have a nice weekend!
Barrel Man
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