Captains are typically the domain of hockey and football teams. In baseball, the title is honorary and optional. Most teams don't take the option.
The Milwaukee Brewers haven't had an official captain in any of their 58 seasons. That changed Saturday, Sept. 26, when the team announced outfielder Christian Yelich as their first-ever captain, with a "C" on the front of his jersey to signify the designation. The announcement came in the midst of Yelich's ninth season in Milwaukee, and the most successful regular season in franchise history.
The Brewers won their record 101st game on Friday for the first time ever. Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge are the only other active players who have been named captains by their teams. Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters that Yelich had one request when he learned the Brewers wanted to name him captain.
He wanted the blessing of Robin Yount, "because in Yeli's mind, Robin is the first captain." More news: Two-time All-Star, 39, Retires Immediately After First MLB Start Yount, the Brewers' franchise leader in hits, games, and RBIs, "agreed wholeheartedly," Murphy said. Yelich won the National League MVP Award in 2018, his first season in Milwaukee, and finished second in MVP voting the following year. Although injuries have limited his availability and effectiveness ever since, Yelich ostensibly did enough to live up to his nine-year, $215 million contract to warrant the honor.
More news: Justin Verlander’s Last Start: Tigers Pitcher's Career Ends in Emotional Moment In 116 games this season, Yelich is slashing .236/.316/.381 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs. He has two guaranteed years remaining on the contract extension he signed prior to the 2020 season. The timing of the announcement is interesting.
Two games remain in the regular season. Milwaukee will begin the postseason with a bye before hosting a best-of-five NL Division Series. The Brewers are still looking to win their first-ever World Series.
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