Mel Ott set the gold standard for teenage durability in Major League Baseball. From 1926 to 1928, he played 241 games before turning 20. That record stood firm for nearly fifty years, untouched and unmatched. Baseball saw many young talents, but none broke through that mark—until Robin Yount arrived.

Drafted third overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1973 draft, Robin Yount made his big league debut the following April. The 18-year-old didn’t ease into the lineup—he took over. By 1975, he became a fixture at shortstop, starting nearly every day. He wasn’t just holding his own; he was thriving under pressure.

As September 16th, 1975 approached—his 20th birthday—Yount had played 243 big league games. He passed Ott’s long-standing record with little fanfare but great significance. The milestone marked more than just playing time. It revealed Yount’s rare mix of talent, toughness, and maturity.

Ott’s record endured for nearly half a century. Yount’s mark has now stood even longer. No teenage player has matched his combination of early opportunity and staying power. In today’s game, young players face tighter workloads and cautious development plans. Yount’s feat grows more impressive with time.

The record speaks to his readiness from day one. Coaches trusted him. He earned every inning. Decades later, Robin Yount’s name still sits atop the list. From precocious teenager to Hall of Famer, he proved greatness can come early—and last.

Shown above is letter handwritten and signed by Ott.

The greatest player in the history of the Brewers, Robin Yount was the source of inspiration for the baseball fans of Milwaukee. He played his entire 20-year career with the Brew Crew, amassing 3,142 hits, 583 doubles, and 1,406 RBI.

An MVP at both shortstop and centerfield, Yount earned a Gold Glove and three Silver Sluggers. He helped the Brewers make back-to-back postseason appearances starting in 1981. In three postseason series, Yount hit .344, including a stellar .414 in the ’82 Fall Classic.

In this letter, Yount obliged the request to write his quote that can be found in The Edge, a book of inspirational quotes.

“It feels great to get this kind of praise, but I enjoy the wins more because that’s what it’s all about. We’re out to prove we can beat anybody and prove we’re the best in baseball. My goal, my only goal, is to help our team win the World Series.”

Accompanying the quote is an autographed 1986 Topps baseball card.

Robin Yount earned his first American League MVP Award as a 26-year old shortstop in 1982. His second Most Valuable Player nod came in 1989 as a centerfielder. By earning the league’s top honor at two positions, he joined Hank Greenberg and Stan Musial as the third multi-position MVP.

The first National Leaguer to achieve the feat was Cardinal great Musial. After earning the honor in 1943 in right field, Musial earned the bid again in ’46 as a first baseman. 

In December that year Musial received this telegram inviting him to New York City’s Waldorf Astoria to pick up the Sid Mercer Award. The honor was created by the NY chapter of the BBWAA in 1931 and called the “Outstanding Player of the Year Award”. In 1945 the writers renamed it in memory of Mercer who originally suggested the award.

Musial autographed this original offering that has found its way into the Cooperstown.com collection. Stan was unanimously selected for the award after leading the National League in most offensive categories.

Robin Yount claimed his first American League MVP Award in 1982. He starred as a 26-year-old shortstop for Milwaukee. Seven years later, in 1989, he switched to center field and earned his second MVP.

By doing so, Yount joined elite company—only two others had won MVPs at multiple positions. Hank Greenberg and Stan Musial both accomplished the rare feat before him.

Musial became the first National League player to achieve this milestone. He earned MVP honors in 1943 while playing right field. In 1946, he moved to first base and was again named the league’s best.

That December, a telegram invited him to New York City’s Waldorf Astoria. He would receive the Sid Mercer Award, given by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The BBWAA first created the award in 1931. They originally called it the “Outstanding Player of the Year Award.” In 1945, writers renamed it in honor of Sid Mercer. A respected journalist, Mercer had first proposed the idea.

Musial signed that original telegram, which now rests in the Cooperstown.com collection. His 1946 season left no doubt. He led the National League in most offensive categories and earned the award unanimously. His all-around excellence set a high bar. Yount would later match Musial’s unique achievement, doing so across two very different positions. Their versatility and dominance remain unmatched in baseball history.

Robin Yount tallied over 11,000 big league at bats. Along the way he reached many memorable milestones, passing the game’s legends on the all-time lists.

Shown here is the lineup card filled out and signed by Brewers’ manager Tom Trebelhorn. The skipper penned Yount as the team’s cleanup hitter and center fielder for the May 17, 1991 contest.

Yount entered the night tied with Hall of Fame first baseman Tony Perez on the all-time doubles list, one away from catching Yankee legend Babe Ruth. In this game, Yount went 2-for-4 with double and a run scored.

The two-base hit pushed Yount’s total to 506, passing the Big Red Machine’s Perez and tying the Bambino. Soon after, Yount passed Ruth. Robin finished his career in 1993 with 583 doubles, well past Ruth’s total. Notice Yount’s autograph and inscription on the lineup card.

Babe Ruth began playing big league baseball more than a century ago. Despite this he remains one of the game’s most famous players. His mythical accomplishments spawned an adjective all his own – “Ruthian”.

Shown here is the Brewers’ lineup card from September 26, 1991. Milwaukee manager Tom Trebelhorn inked Robin Yount in the cleanup spot and signed the card at the bottom.

In his 18th major league campaign, Yount entered this contest tied with the Bambino on the all-time hits list with 2,873 career safeties. In the bottom of the 4th inning Yount stepped into the batter’s box against the Yankees’ Wade Taylor.

On a 1-ball, 1-strike pitch, Yount did something truly Ruthian – he hit a single to surpass the Bambino’s career hit total. Robin signed the card and added the inscription, “PASSED BABE RUTH ON HITS LIST”.

Lineup cards from historic games like this are usually found either in the player’s possession or at the Hall of Fame.

Robin Yount was given baseball’s highest honor on July 25, 1999 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Sunday ceremony included three other immortals, George Brett, Nolan Ryan, and Orlando Cepeda. Each of the three played against Yount.

Ryan faced Yount in 79 plate appearances. He walked him 8 times and struck him out twice that amount. Yount hit .232 with two home runs and ten RBI.

The 1958 Rookie of the Year and 1966 MVP, Cepeda overlapped with Yount only in 1974. That year the 36-year-old Cepeda closed out his career with 35 games with the Royals.

Brett started his career in the majors in 1973, the year before Yount broke in. The pair retired together in 1993. Each was a first-ballot selection for Cooperstown.

Shown here is an inspirational letter on Royals letterhead signed by Brett.