Robin R. Yount, commonly known as “the Kid” and “Rockin’ Robin,” is a legendary baseball player with a net worth of $9 million. Yount was drafted third overall in the 1973 Major League Baseball draft and made his professional debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1974.
I find it fascinating that Yount dedicated his 20-year career to the Brewers. It’s a rare sight in sports today to see someone show a level of loyalty and love for a team that’s both admirable and heartwarming.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Yount has significantly impacted his post-playing days as a coach. He has shared his knowledge and love for the game with a new generation of players. In his first year of eligibility, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Robin Yount’s net worth may be estimated at $9 million, but his true worth is immeasurable. His achievements and influence in Major League Baseball transcend monetary value and have left a lasting impression on the sport and its fans. Yount’s number 19 is one of six numbers retired by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Profile Summary
Name | Robin R. Yount |
Age | 69 years old |
Date of birth | September 16, 1955 |
Nationality | United States |
Wife | Michele Edelstein Yount |
Net worth | $9 million |
Height | 6 ft |
Career | Baseball |
Gender | Male |
Father | Phil |
Mother | Marion |
Brothers | Larry Young Jim Young |
Robin Young Biography
Robin R. Yount was born on September 16, 1955, in Danville, Illinois, United States. He was raised in Covington, Indiana, until his family moved to Los Angeles, Southern California.
His father was a Rocket Scientist working at Rocketdyne.
Robin Young attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, where sports made up every aspect of his life. From football, basketball, and eventually baseball.
He was amongst the team that led Taft to a league championship and he was subsequently named Los Angeles City Player of the Year.
Robin Yount Net Worth
Diving into the numbers, it’s clear that Robin Yount wasn’t just a baseball player but a legend in every sense.
Robin Yount’s net worth of $9 million is primarily rooted in his illustrious career with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he emerged as a baseball legend from 1974 to 1993. Drafted third overall in the June 1973 Major League Baseball draft, Yount made an immediate impact, debuting at 18 and setting records from the outset.
Imagine being 18, stepping onto the field, and not just playing but shining among seasoned athletes.
His early promise translated into a career that redefined longevity and excellence and proved financially rewarding, as evidenced by the salary figures documented during the latter years of his tenure with the Brewers.
By 1985, Yount earned $1,000,000 annually, reflecting his growing influence and output. This figure fluctuated slightly in the following years, peaking at $3,200,000 between 1990 and 1992. This period of financial boon coincided with a three-year, $9.6 million contract he signed in 1990, underscoring the Brewers’ valuation of his talent and contribution to the team. Throughout these years, his salary adjustments mirrored his transition from infield to outfield, adaptation to injuries, and evolving role within the squad.
Yount’s career achievements extend far beyond the diamond. He became the last teenager to hit a home run in the MLB, led the American League with 210 hits in 1982, and played a pivotal role in the Brewers’ 1982 World Series run. Yount led the team to the World Series in 1982 and earned two league MVP awards (shortstop, 1982; centerfield, 1989).
His post-retirement activities, including coaching stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Brewers and his role as a special instructor, although not as financially lucrative, contributed to his legacy and possibly his financial portfolio. However, the precise impact of these roles on his net worth is less than his playing career earnings.
Robin Yount’s financial success is intricately linked to his baseball career, particularly during his peak years with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Robin Yount Active Baseball Career
Robin Yount had a celebrated career and is considered an iconic figure in Milwaukee Brewers history. He was ranked the number one player on yardbarker.com’s list of the 24 best players in Milwaukee Brewers history. This is due to his high WAR (wins above replacement) score, which considers multiple aspects of the game, including batting, baserunning, and fielding. It also factors in the player’s position and ballpark. It determines how many more wins an individual player might contribute compared to a league-average player.
Drafted third overall in 1973, Yount quickly made his mark in Major League Baseball, debuting at just 18 years old. His early success, including being the last 18-year-old to hit a home run in the MLB and breaking Mel Ott’s record for most games before turning 20, set the stage for a storied career.
Yount’s resolve was tested in 1978 when he considered retirement over salary disputes and position changes. However, his return to the Brewers resolved his concerns and marked the beginning of his ascent to baseball greatness. His embrace of weight training, then a novel approach in baseball, helped enhance his power hitting, particularly noteworthy for a shortstop.
His achievements in the 1982 season are legendary. Yount led the American League with 210 hits, propelled the Brewers to their only World Series appearance with his stellar performance, and secured his first MVP award.
Yount’s ability to perform under pressure was unparalleled. He demonstrated this in the crucial game of the 1982 AL East competition by hitting home runs in his first two at-bats and later in the World Series by achieving two 4-hit games.
Yount’s versatility on the field is unparalleled. In 1985, he seamlessly transitioned from shortstop to center fielder due to a shoulder injury. This move did not diminish his contributions; it added to his legend, culminating in a second MVP award in 1989, making him one of the few players to win MVPs at two different positions.
Over his career, Yount collected 3,142 hits, ranking him 20th on the all-time hit list, and became the third-youngest player to reach the 3,000-hit milestone. His commitment to the game and his ability to excel offensively and defensively set new standards, leaving a legacy that includes Brewers career records in nearly every major statistical category.
Numerous accolades have recognized his contributions to the sport, including his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1999. A statue in his honor immortalizes his presence outside American Family Field. Yount’s election on the first ballot was a rare feat not achieved since the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1936.
Robin Yount Coaching Career
Robin Yount’s journey through baseball did not end with his legendary playing career; it seamlessly transitioned into a notable coaching career that further solidified his lifelong commitment to the sport.
After hanging up his cleats, Yount took his baseball knowledge and experience into coaching, beginning with a significant role within the Arizona Diamondbacks’ coaching staff. From 2002 to 2004, he served as the first base and bench coach, immersing himself in a new game aspect.
However, his tenure with the Diamondbacks ended following the dismissal of manager Bob Brenly, under whom Yount had served.
Yount’s passion for baseball and loyalty to the Milwaukee Brewers, the team with which he became a legend, drew him back to Milwaukee. His return to Milwaukee as a coach felt like a homecoming, an opportunity to give back to the game and the community that had given him so much.
In 2005, at the behest of Brewers manager Ned Yost, Yount returned to the Brewers as a bench coach, sharing the dugout with Dale Sveum, a former teammate, and the team’s new third base coach. This marked the beginning of another chapter in Yount’s baseball career, as he brought his on-field experience and leadership to the coaching staff. Although he announced in November 2006 that he would not return as bench coach for the following season, his commitment to the Brewers remained unwavering.
Yount rejoined the Brewers’ coaching staff in 2008 when Sveum, the team manager, named him his bench coach. This period allowed Yount to influence a new generation of Brewers.
Beyond his coaching roles, Yount’s influence within baseball continued as he took on the role of a particular instructor in spring training for the Brewers. This position, which he embraced starting in 1996 and continued into at least 2014, allowed him to impart his knowledge and passion for the game to players during the crucial preseason period.
Robin Yount’s Racing Career
Robin Yount is synonymous with a baseball career, but another side to him is just as fascinating, if not more. Yount is an avid auto racing and mechanics enthusiast, a passion almost as compelling as his sports career.
Yount’s “playroom” isn’t your typical garage. It’s an Aladdin’s cave filled with a diverse collection of racing vehicles – we’re talking go-karts, a Honda CR500R dirt bike, smaller dirt bikes, and all-terrain cycles.
He’s not just collecting these vehicles; he’s deeply involved, especially with go-kart racing. Rebuilding engines is no small feat, yet Yount dives into it. Despite the dangers of racing, including several crashes he’s experienced, his enthusiasm hasn’t wavered.
But Yount’s racing career isn’t just a hobby; it’s been quite serious. He drove Sports 2000 cars and was a co-owner of P-1 Racing, which clinched the Formula Atlantic title in 1990. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in Buddy Rice’s career, and he went on to win the 2000 Atlantics championship and the 2004 Indianapolis 500. It’s impressive.
He doesn’t just compete; he immerses himself in the racing world, participating in the Pro Sports 2000 series and club events, showcasing that competitive nature we’ve seen on the baseball field.