Milwaukee Brewers Legend Robin Yount Criminally Underrated

It is strange to think of a first ballot Hall of Famer with over 3000 hits in his career as underrated. However, in the case of Milwaukee Brewers legend Robin Yount, that is the case.

Robin Yount was born on this day in Danville, Illinois. During his infancy, he moved to California, becoming a star at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. He caught the eye of the Milwaukee Brewers, who made him the third overall pick in the 1973 MLB Amateur Draft. Yount would spent all of 64 games in the minors, playing for the Newark Co-Pilots of the New York-Pennsylvania before making his major league debut the following year at just 18 years old.

Yount spent the next 20 years as a mainstay with the Brewers. He quickly became a star in Milwaukee, although there was some controversy early in his career. Feeling he was underpaid, and with rumors that he would be moved to the outfield, Yount threatened to retire and take up professional golf. Paul Molitor was called up to play short in his stead, but moved to second base when Yount’s demands were met.

Eventually, Yount would move to the outfield, becoming the Brewers centerfielder, as the team made room for Ernie Riles. As it turned out, Yount would spend roughly half of his career at short, with the other half coming in center. He won an MVP award in both positions, becoming the third player to win an MVP award at two different positions on the diamond. His diving catch saved the first no hitter in Brewers history. However, Yount made just three All Star Games, with those appearances coming in 1980, 1982, and 1983.

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Given his excellent performance throughout his career, that number is amazingly low. He hit over .300 six times, and developed power throughout his career, as he was an early proponent of weight lifting in baseball. Yount led the league in doubles and triples twice, retaining his speed even though is power increased. Overall, he produced a lifetime .285/.342/.430 batting line, collecting 3142 hits, 251 homers, and 271 steals. Despite seemingly having a few more solid years left in the tank, he retired at 37 years old, forgoing a chance to join the 300-300 club, or even making a run at the 4000 hit plateau. Of course, as Yount preferred to avoid the spotlight throughout his career, that decision was in keeping with the player he was.

That low key personality, and playing in Milwaukee, may have conspired to keep Yount from getting the recognition he deserved. The Brewers were, for the most part, a decent team during his career, but only made the postseason twice, with their only World Series appearance coming in 1982.

In addition to the Brewers lack of a playoff run, Yount made his debut at the same time as George Brett. The two players were linked throughout their careers, although Brett became far more of a star. The Royals had become a perennial postseason contender, with the fiery Brett as their most recognizable player. Yount, meanwhile, was far more low key, and tended to be lost in the shuffle.

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Robin Yount was the greatest player in the history of the Milwaukee Brewers, and one of the best players of his time. The fact that he did not get more recognition during that time is disappointing.