One MLB Team Named a Captain For the First Time in 58 Seasons
A former National League MVP was named the first captain in his franchise's history.
Baseball teams usually do not assign a captain, a role more commonly seen in hockey and football. The Milwaukee Brewers, however, have never had an official captain in their 58-year history. That changed on September 26 when outfielder Christian Yelich was named the franchise's first-ever captain, with a "C" emblazoned on his jersey to denote the distinction.
This announcement came amid Yelich's ninth season with the Brewers, during which they achieved their most successful regular season ever, winning a record 101 games. The honor came as Yelich marked his ninth year in Milwaukee and his most productive season to date.
The Brewers' manager, Pat Murphy, revealed that Yelich's sole condition for accepting the captaincy was the blessing of Robin Yount, widely regarded as the franchise's first captain. Yount, a two-time All-Star who led the Brewers in hits, games, and RBIs, wholeheartedly agreed to support Yelich in the role.
Yelich, a two-time National League MVP winner in 2018, has faced challenges due to injuries over the past few seasons. Despite this, he delivered a strong 116-game performance this season, batting .236 with a .316 on-base percentage and .381 slugging percentage, along with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs. The contract he signed prior to the 2020 season guarantees him two more years.
The timing of Yelich's appointment as captain is intriguing given the Brewers' situation. With only two games left in the regular season, Milwaukee is set to begin its postseason run with a bye before facing a best-of-five NL Division Series. The team is also aiming for its first World Series title. Perhaps naming a captain was the missing piece they needed to overcome the obstacles in their path.
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