Why We Love Braun

Not since October 3, 1993, the date of Robin Yount's final game as a Milwaukee Brewer, has the franchise had a player with the leadership qualities of Yount that could take this team to the postseason.

And then, on May 25, 2007 (my 21st birthday), that player emerged.  His name was Ryan Braun, and he played third base (one spot left of Yount at SS).  Then, due to his defensive struggles, he moved to Left Field (one spot left of Yount in CF). 

There have been other players who have had the chance to be the leader of the Crew, Richie Sexson, Carlos Lee, Prince Fielder, and Ben Sheets, but none of them have resonated with the fanbase quite like Braun.  He's young, brash, and damn good.  He'll speak out when the team isn't performing, and he'll forever live in Brewers lore for his two home runs in the final week of the 2008 season, including the home run that got the Brewers to the playoffs in the 8th inning against the dreaded Cubs.

These are the things that make a leader.  He's confident, and borderline cocky.  He's got that swagger when he hits a big home run, and that look that the ladies love.  From the inception of the franchise, through right about when the team changed their logo for the first time, Robin Yount was the face of the franchise.

But if you were to look at the Brewers in two fases, the pinstripe/powder blue years, and the current logo, you've got two faces of the franchise.  Yount in the early years, and Braun in the current.  Let's compare the two in terms of stats and awards.

This is no knock on Robin Yount, who was starting at short at the age of 18, but it wasn't until 1980 when he was 24 before he registered in the MVP voting, finishing 17th.  Seven times he recieved MVP votes, finishing 17th again in 1981, winning the award in '82, 18th in '83, 18th in '87, 11th in '88, and winning it again in 1989.  A somewhat shocking statistic for Yount is that he was named an All-Star just three times, in 1980, 1982, and 1983.  He won three Silver Slugger awards, in 1980, 1982, and 1989.  And finally, he won a Gold Glove in 1982.

He is a member of the 3,000 hit club, totaling 3,142 hits in his career.  He is also the Brewers all-time leader in home runs with 251. 

That brings us to Braun.  He was brought up at the age of 23, and in his first two seasons in the majors, finished 24th and 3rd in MVP voting.  He started in his first All-Star game a year ago, and is a lock to be heading to his second this year.  And while he doesn't have any MVP's, yet, he does have a Rookie of the Year award, something Yount does not have, and Braun also won his first Silver Slugger award last year.

Both players led their teams to the postseason, Yount twice (1981 and 1982) and Braun once (2008).  In 17 career playoff games, Yount batted .344, including a stunning .414 in the 1982 World Series.  Braun has four career playoff games, with a batting average of .313 in the 2008 NLDS. 

Braun will eventually pass Yount in a number of categories on the Brewers all-time lists, this is inevitable.  The enjoyment fans will have over the next number of years is watching Ryan work his way up those lists (he currently sits 43rd in hits, and is already 19th in home runs).  What may eventually help Braun possibly pass Yount in terms of the franchises all-time greatest player is his chance at both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.  If Braun continues at his current pace, he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer without a doubt.

Thanks to my father, I was born and raised a Brewer fan.  My dad was 16 years old when Yount debuted, and he grew up watching his amazing career.  I was 21 (to the day even!) when Ryan Braun made his debut, and I'll get to watch his amazing career.  And as I speak for all Brewers fans, we can't wait!