Yount Willing to Roam Outfield to Help the Brewers Win Games

SUN CITY, Ariz. —  Robin Yount is ready to face the challenge of a new position if it helps the Milwaukee Brewers win a few more games this season.

Yount, a three-time All-Star at shortstop, played outfield for the first time in his career Saturday. And it looks as if Yount will be spending a lot of time roaming left field this season.

“I would like to play shortstop again,” Yount said. “It all depends really on how things are going. If this seems to work out and we’re winning and playing good ball, I wouldn’t mind staying out there.”

During the offseason, Yount underwent arthoscopic surgery in his right shoulder to repair frayed tendons and smooth a bone.

Because Yount is experiencing some pain, the Brewers decided to place him in left field to avoid more damage to the shoulder.

“It’s fine. It’s coming along,” Yount said of the shoulder. “I imagine it (pain) will be there for awhile.”

Yount has been an everyday-type player in nine of his past 11 seasons with the Brewers. And that’s another reason he’s willing to play the outfield.

“It’s better than not being in the lineup at all,” he said. “If I have to play (outfield) to stay in the lineup, that’s fine with me. It’s just a new challenge.”

Yount said the adjustment to fielding hasn’t been too difficult.

“I pretty much react to it and just go get it, pick it up and throw it in,” he said with a smile.

Milwaukee Manager George Bamberger believes Yount will excel in the outfield as he has at shortstop.

“I could put Robin Yount in center field and he would be the finest centerfielder in all of baseball,” Bamberger said. “He’s a gifted athlete. He can do anything. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’d be the best centerfielder in baseball.”