UPDATE: In a thrilling display of resilience, Christian Yelich reached a significant milestone by driving in his 100th run of the 2023 MLB season during the Milwaukee Brewers‘ 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. This achievement marks Yelich’s first 100-RBI season since his National League MVP run in 2018.
Yelich’s comeback story is nothing short of remarkable. After enduring a challenging recovery from back surgery, skepticism surrounded his ability to reclaim his previous form. “There were a lot of questions obviously that I had to answer,” Yelich stated. “People doubting whether or not I could play. I felt like I was still going to be able to play at a high level after dealing with what I had to deal with.”
The 33-year-old slugger showcased his talent by going 2 for 4 and has now tied for third in the NL in RBIs, trailing only Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. Alongside his 100 RBIs, Yelich has launched 29 home runs, ranking him eighth in the league.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy believes Yelich’s statistics could be even more impressive if luck had favored him on more occasions. “You’d be astounded how many balls he’s hit at a 100 (mph)-plus rate that were caught,” Murphy noted.
Yelich’s journey back to the top has not been easy. He was struggling significantly, hitting below .200 as late as May 23, during which the Brewers faced a losing record. However, as Yelich began to heat up, so did the team, propelling the Brewers to an impressive 94-59 record, marking a franchise-first of being 35 games above .500.
Rookie third baseman Caleb Durbin emphasized Yelich’s importance to the team, saying, “That’s our guy. We’ve kind of relied on him all year. He’s the backbone of this team.” Murphy has repeatedly praised Yelich for his leadership and impact on the team’s culture, particularly among younger players.
Yelich, a key figure since the Brewers’ playoff runs began in 2018, expressed pride in the team’s development. “I’m just proud of the guys on the team, especially our young players, because the demand is high here to come in as a rookie on a team that’s winning games,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges rookies face without a grace period to adjust.
With his batting average now at .268 and an OPS of .813, Yelich’s performance is a strong indicator of his return to form. After dealing with injuries that limited his effectiveness from 2020 to 2022, he is finally healthy and ready as the Brewers gear up for another postseason run.
“Just being available for most of the games this year and being able to play is kind of refreshing,” Yelich stated. “I knew I’m still capable of playing at a high level if I just do it, if I just play.”
As the Brewers continue their pursuit of postseason glory, all eyes will be on Yelich, whose determination and skill could be the key to their success. Fans are eagerly watching what this incredible player will accomplish next.
