Milwaukee Should Recognize Its Greatest Players By Position During Next Season's 50th Anniversary
Stormin' Gorman Anchored The Lineup As Well As the Outfield For Milwaukee
Someday The List Might Contain Names Like Yelich, Cain and Hader
To mark its upcoming fiftieth anniversary as a Major League Baseball team, the Brewers will be sponsoring all sorts of events to honor the half century mark. Just this week, even though we are months removed from Spring Training, Milwaukee announced that it will be donning a new logo for the 2020 season.
What has yet to be announced , but is certain to happen at some point during season fifty, is the selection and recognition of the lineup of the greatest Brewers ever to suit up. There will be little disagreement on the inclusion of the first Brewer ever elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, although there could be indecision at which position he should man.
He of course appears on my list as well, since he has the stats and the tenure to qualify. I have limited the potential players to those who served a minimum of four years with Milwaukee, thereby omitting current All-Stars such as right fielder Christian Yelich and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
First Base, Cecil Cooper
After coming over from the Boston Red Sox in the Seventies, the left handed Coop became one of the most consistent hitters in the game as a key part of the pennant-winning 1982 lineup.
Second Base, Rickie Weeks
Jose Valentin (9 home rus per year, .240 Batting Average) was a productive infielder for Milwaukee for numerous seasons, but Weeks trumped him with 14 home runs and a.246 BA.
Shortstop, Robin Yount
Since he switched to center for the last half of his career, the lifelong Brewer and Hall of Fame inductee could have easily made the list at two positions.
Third Base, Ryan Braun
Before moving to left, Braun won the National League Most Valuable Player Award at the hot corner.
Left Field, Geoff Jenkins
He was the face of the organization throughout the Nineties, providing a combination of power, clutch-hitting and a seemingly unquenchable desire to win.
Center Field, Gorman Thomas
Stormin' Gorman swung the most violent bat for the sluggers affectionately known as Harvey's Wallbangers, placing among the top four in home runs for four straight seasons.
Right Field, Ben Oglivie ,
The Panamian left handed slugger averaged 20 home runs as a Brewer and even led the A.L. with 41. It is his .277 BA, however, that gives him the nod over the .246 hitting Greg Vaughn.
Catcher, Jonathan Lucroy
Believe it or not his 11 home runs per season with the club matched Ted Simmons, but Lucroy boasted a .281 BA over the latter's .265 BA.
Designated Hitter, Prince Fielder
He inherited his father Cecil's great power, which helped him propel Milwaukee to several postseason appearances.
Right Handed Starting Pitcher, Pete Vuckovich
Clearly the ace of the American League Champion squad, Vuke several times was among the runner ups for the Cy Young Award.
Left Handed Starting Pitcher, Teddy Higuera
Like Vuckovich he was Cy Young runner up for several seasons, including when he was a twenty game winner in 1986.
Closer, Rollie Fingers
After helping the Oakland A's forge dynasty in the Seventies, the curly-moustached reliever earned the Cy Young by amassing forty saveds for the pennant winning Brewers in 1982.
