Call to the pen
Fansided

The 2018 Milwaukee Brewers versus the franchise’s previous fast-starters

By Bobby Mueller

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 14: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 14: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WI – CIRCA 1980’s: Infielder Robin Yount #19 of the Milwaukee Brewers swings and watches the flight of his ball during a circa 1980’s Major League Baseball game at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yount played for the Brewers from 1974-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1980 Brewers

 

First 50 games: 28-22, .560, 2nd place, 3.5 GB

After first 50 games: 58-54, .518

Finish: 86-76, .531, 3rd place, 17.0 GB

 

From their inaugural year as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 through the 1977 season, the Brewers had nine straight losing seasons. Everything changed in 1978 when the Brewers had their first winning season, going 93-69. Despite that success, it was only good for third place in a tough AL East that included the 100-win New York Yankees and 99-win Boston Red Sox.

The Brewers were over .500 again in 1979, then got off to one of their best starts ever through 50 games in 1980. Of course, it didn’t happen right off the bat. The 1980 Brewers started 16-18 before embarking on a six-game winning streak that would spur a 12-4 run to get them to 28-22. That 28-22 record through their first 50 games is tied for fifth-best in franchise history.

Those Brewers would peak at 42-30 through July 1. From that point forward, they went 44-46 to finish at 86-76 and in third place, 17 games behind the Yankees and Orioles, both of whom won at least 100 games. It’s tough to compete in a division that includes two 100-win teams (just ask the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles this year).

The top player on the 1980 Brewers was future Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount, who filled the stat sheet with a .293/.321/.519 season that included 121 runs, 87 RBI, 49 doubles, 10 triples, 23 homers and 20 steals. He was worth 7.1 WAR (Baseball-Reference) and this was his first all-star season. Other top players on the team included Cecil Cooper (6.8 WAR), who led the league in total bases and RBI, and Ben Oglivie (6.5 WAR), who led the league in home runs.

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