On this day in 1999, Robin Yount was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Yount appeared on 77.5% of all ballots in his first year of eligibility, and was enshrined alongside fellow first-balloters Nolan Ryan and George Brett. Here's the text from his Hall of Fame plaque, which you can see here:
A prolific hitter with a stoic demeanor who was equally graceful at shortstop and in center field. One of three players to earn MVP honors at two positions. Produced 3,142 hits, 7th most in American League History. Hit .300 six times, 40 doubles four times, 20 HR four times and scored 100 runs five times. Exceptional conditioning and extraordinary work ethic made him a bastion of consistency and durability for 20 seasons. An every day major leaguer at age 18.
Five years later, Yount's longtime teammate joined him. Paul Molitor was inducted into the Hall of Fame on this day in 2004, receiving 85.2% of votes on his first ballot of eligibility. He was enshrined alongside Dennis Eckersley. Here's the text from his Hall of Fame plaque:
A remarkably consistent contact hitter and aggressive base runner with extraordinary instincts. One of three players with more than 3,000 hits, 600 doubles and 500 steals. A career .306 hitter. Ranks eighth all-time with 3,319 hits. Hit safely in 39 consecutive games in 1987. A great clutch performer, as evidenced by his record five hits in game one of the 1982 World Series for the Brewers, and World Series MVP honors for the Champion Blue Jays in 1993. Elected to seven All-Star teams.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index and Brewerfan.net, happy birthday today to:
- Huntsville Star Shawn Riggans, who turns 31.
- 2004 Brewer Travis Phelps, who turns 34.
- 2008 Brewer Guillermo Mota, who turns 38.