Yelich steals 3 bases to post rare 40-30 season
Christian Yelich is following up his 2018 MVP season with an even more impressive 2019.
The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder tallied his 30th steal of the campaign when he swiped his third bag of the game in the eighth inning Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. In doing so, he's now posted the 12th 40-homer, 30-steal season in MLB history.
.@ChristianYelich is the youngest player to have 40 HR/30 SB in a season since @AROD in 1998. pic.twitter.com/scMPzGJ7PR
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 8, 2019
Yelich, who came into Saturday with 44 homers and 27 steals, is the first player to go 40-30 since his teammate Ryan Braun did it for the Brewers in 2012.
| Player | Year | Team | HR | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hank Aaron | 1963 | Braves | 44 | 31 |
| Jose Canseco | 1988 | Athletics | 42 | 40 |
| Ellis Burks | 1996 | Rockies | 40 | 32 |
| Barry Bonds | 1996 | Giants | 42 | 40 |
| Larry Walker | 1997 | Rockies | 49 | 33 |
| Barry Bonds | 1997 | Giants | 40 | 37 |
| Jeff Bagwell | 1997 | Astros | 43 | 31 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 1998 | Mariners | 42 | 46 |
| Jeff Bagwell | 1999 | Astros | 42 | 30 |
| Alfonso Soriano | 2006 | Nationals | 46 | 41 |
| Ryan Braun | 2012 | Brewers | 41 | 30 |
| Christian Yelich | 2019 | Brewers | 44 | 30 |
The 27-year-old also became the 42nd player to post a 30-30 season, and the second this year, joining Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. It's the fourth 30-30 season in Brewers history, joining Braun (2011 and '12), and Tommy Harper (1970).
If he can hit six more homers before season's end, Yelich will become the first player to post a 50-30 season.
Yelich entered Saturday leading the National League in on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS while ranking second in homers. He now sits third in the Senior Circuit in steals.
He ended his historic Saturday in style by lacing a walk-off double - No. 29 on the year - in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading the Brewers to a 3-2 win.
YELI FOR THE WIN. #Walkoff #SeptmeberBaseball pic.twitter.com/pTFpt1JH9G
— MLB (@MLB) September 8, 2019