From 1974-1993, Robin Yount cemented himself in Brewers lore while exemplifying the role of a true major leaguer.
Drafted out of high school by Milwaukee with the third overall pick in 1973, Yount quickly made his presence felt at the big league level. At the tender age of 18, Robin played in 108 games during his rookie season of 1974.
Though he certainly possessed potential, a raw Yount experienced his share of early growing pains. A shortstop by trade, Robin committed 94 errors at the position over his first three seasons in the majors.
The 1970's would prove to be an adjustment period for the Brewers' top prospect, who had made a difficult transition from the high school diamond to the big league clubhouse. Regardless, a determined Yount would prove to his critics that he belonged in the game.
At the turn of the new decade, Yount took the baseball world by storm. In 1980, Robin belted 23 homers, drove in 87 runs, and swiped 20 bases while leading the majors with 49 doubles. The performance landed Yount on the major league map and garnered him the first of thee AL All-Star nods. In a strike-interrupted 1981 campaign, Yount drove in 49 runs while helping lead Milwaukee to the AL Division Series, its first playoff appearance in team history. For Yount, it was simply a preview of what was to come.
In an incredible 1982 campaign, Yount batted .331 while crushing 29 home runs and collecting 114 RBIs. That season, Robin led the majors with 210 hits, 46 doubles, 367 total bases, a .578 slugging percentage, and a .957 OPS. Yount's stellar season earned him the AL MVP Award, AL All-Star honors, and an AL Gold Glove Award.
The American League's top performer in 1982 helped lead his team to its second consecutive playoff appearance. On the final day of the regular season, Robin cranked two home runs against Jim Palmer and the Orioles, securing the AL Eastern Division Championship. A fighting Brewers club bested the Angels in a five-game ALCS, granting Milwaukee its first pennant. Yount secured the final out of that series, retiring Rod Carew on a one-hop shot to short.
Yount Homers Twice Against Baltimore
In a seven-game fall classic against the NL Champion Cardinals, Yount homered and drove in six runs while batting .414 in a losing effort. Yount collected four hits in both the first and fifth games of that series, becoming the first player in fall classic history with multiple four-hit games.
Yount Homers Against St. Louis
Though his team fell on difficult times throughout the remainder of the 1980's, Robin remained a consistent force in Brewers' lineups. While beginning to experience knee problems, Yount was shifted to the outfield in 1985 in hopes of extending an impressive career.
In 1989, Yount smacked 21 homers and drove in 103 runs while batting .318 en route to his second AL MVP Award. Now a center fielder, Robin became just the third player in major league history to earn MVP honors at multiple positions. It was a fitting way for Yount to conclude the 1980's, earning Major League Baseball's Player of the Decade honor.
With his more productive years and better health behind him, Yount embarked on the 1990's while looking to cap off an incredible career. In 1992, Robin drove in 77 runs and stole 15 bags while the Brewers finished four games behind the eventual World Champion Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Eastern Division.
The following season, Yount provided his proverbial exclamation point. On September 9, 1992 in Milwaukee, Robin collected his 3,000 hit as a major leaguer, a single to right off Cleveland's Jose Mesa. Yount had become the third youngest player and 17th overall to collect 3,000 hits.
Yount Collects 3,000th Hit
Following 20 memorable years on the diamond, Yount announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on February 11, 2014. A hard-working, dedicated major leaguer since his teen years, Robin had truly earned his rest. At Yount's retirement press conference, then-team owner Bud Selig insisted that Robin's retirement was not a sad occasion, but instead a celebration of Yount's contributions to Major League Baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers for two decades.
Vintage Coverage of Yount's Retirement, Courtesy of ABC News
Over the span of twenty seasons, Robin made his mark in nearly every offensive category. In total, Yount accumulated 3,142 hits, 251 home runs, 1,406 RBIs, 583 doubles, 126 triples, and 966 walks, all franchise records.
On May 29, 1994, Yount was honored in a pregame ceremony at Milwaukee County Stadium. Robin's number 19 was retired by the Brewers, joining Henry Aaron's number 44 and Rollie Fingers' number 34 in enshrinement.
In 1999, Yount was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A first-ballot hall of famer, Robin became the first Brewer to represent his team in Cooperstown.
Yount's Hall of Fame Speech
Yount has remained close to the Brewers' organization since retirement, making annual appearances at various team events. A resident of Arizona, Robin frequents Brewers' Spring Training in Phoenix each season.
For twenty seasons, Robin Yount exemplified professionalism, humility, and leadership. He set the golden standard for Major League Baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers. Twenty years following his retirement from the game, Yount's countless achievements serve as priceless memories for fans of our National Pastime. 'The Kid' remains in the hearts of Brewers' faithful.
Thank you for reading,
Barrel Man
