Yount was part of historic 1973 MLB draft class
Forty-five years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers took a chance on "The Kid."
Robin Yount, who was selected No. 3 overall, was part of a historic 1973 Major League Baseball draft class that also included Dave Winfield (No. 4) and Eddie Murray (No. 63, third round). That draft was one of only three in history where at least three future National Baseball Hall of Fame players were taken.
The other two drafts were Jim Rice, George Brett and Mike Schmidt in 1971; and Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Barry Larkin in 1985.
Yount, from Woodland Hills, Calif., broke into the big leagues as an 18year-old shortstop with the Brewers and played all 20 years with the club.
With almost two full seasons as a regular before he turned 20, Yount broke Mel Ott’s long-standing record for most major-league baseball games (243) played as a teenager.
In 1982, Yount was a star and was rewarded for it. He hit .331, smacked 29 home runs, scored 129 runs and had 114 RBI. He led the league in hits (210), doubles (46), total bases (367) and slugging percentage (.578).
And don't forget about his defense. He also led American League shortstops with 489 assists and teamed with second baseman Jim Gantner to lead the majors in double plays.
Yount was the AL MVP and earned Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards while leading the Brewers to the World Series.
He won the AL MVP again in 1989 as a centerfielder and finished his career with a .285 batting average, 3,142 hits, 251 home runs, 1,406 RBI and 1,632 runs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 in his first year of eligibility.
After signing with the Padres, Winfield skipped the minor leagues entirely. In 22 seasons with six teams, he batted .283 and accumulated 3,110 hits, 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and scored 1,669 runs. He received his Hall of Fame plaque in 2001.
Murray joined his 1973 draft mates in Cooperstown in 2003 after batting .287 with 3,255 hits, 504 homers, 1,917 RBI and 1,627 runs in his 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and four other clubs.