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Looking over the 1980 and early 1990s, one has to be amazed at the Brewers dynasty. You arguably can trace it the acquisitions of outfielder Dale Murphy (for outfielder Sixto Lezcano in an even-up trade) and third baseman Cal Ripken (for reliever Frank DiPino, starting pitcher prospect Ricky Keeton, outfielder Kevin Bass, and shortstop Lenn Sakata), who ended up joining Paul Molitor and Robin Yount as the core of that dynasty, which won World Series titles in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1992 while also winning AL pennants in 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1991.

Yount needs little introduction - in 1980 he broke out as a legitimate run-producer, hitting 35 home runs and driving in 119 runs. He ultimately lead the majors in hits over the 1980s, hit 286 home runs and stole 278 bases, reaching the 30-30 plateau five times (1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, and 1988). He arguably re-defined what a shortstop could be, as well. Yount was Mr. Brewer until his retirement in 1995. He finished his career with 3,508 hits, 402 homers, and 411 stolen bases.

Molitor arguably was the decade's best leadoff hitter. He stole 131 bases in 1980, setting the AL record, and would break the century mark twice more, in 1982 and 1983. He got on base a lot, but his power was probably the surprise. From 1980 to 1989, he averaged 40 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs, and 79 stolen bases, with an average OBP of .398. Molitor stayed with Milwaukee until 2003, and ended his career with 4,113 hits and 1013 stolen bases. Arguably, Molitor's best year was 1987, when he broke DiMaggio's hitting streak (eventually reaching 59 games), and hit .404.

Ripken played third base from Opening Day 1981, and didn't miss a game - or an inning - in that decade, or the one after that. It was said that you could count on him to play 162 games, hit about .275, with 35 doubles, 25 homers, and 100 RBI. He was solid as anyone could have asked. His career ended the same year as Molitor's, and the Iron Brewer ended with 3,411 hits and 503 homers.

Murphy patrolled right field for the Brewers that decade, and he was just as reliable as Ripken. His consecutive games streak in the 1980s was longer than Ripken's, although Ripken has the reputation due to Murphy playing designated hitter for about 15 percent of his games. Murphy averaged 35 homers a season. He finished his career in 1997, DHing for the Brewers after the 1990 season. He had 3,012 hits and 494 home runs.

All four made the Hall of Fame. All four have had their numbers retired (Molitor's #4, Murphy's #3, Ripken's #8, and Yount's #19).

Orioles GM Hank Peters admits that the Ripken trade was a bad move for the Orioles, and he should have just stuck with the original proposal to send a reliever by the name of John Flinn to Milwaukee for Sakata. Ted Turner freely admitted that he bought Sixto Lezcano high, and sold Dale Murphy low, and admits that he should have listened to GM John Mullen's objections to the proposed trade, and was more hands-off after the Braves lost to Milwaukee in the 1982 World Series, where Murphy was World Series MVP.

Suppose the Braves and Orioles execs had listened to their doubts? Would another dynasty have emerged from 1980-1995? How well would Milwaukee have done with only Molitor and Yount anchoring the team? Would any of those four players have reached the same heights?
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