Paul Molitor

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Lore & Background

Molitor's journey to Milwaukee began after he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 28th round of the 1974 draft but chose college instead. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he suffered a broken jaw between his sophomore and junior seasons, losing 40 pounds while his jaw was wired shut for eight weeks. After recovering, the Brewers selected him third overall in the 1977 draft. He started with the Class A Burlington Bees, hitting .346 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs in 64 games before reaching the majors. Throughout his early career, injuries plagued him; he was placed on the disabled list six times between 1980 and 1986. In 1984, elbow problems limited him to just 13 games, leading him to undergo Tommy John surgery. Despite these setbacks, he rebounded strongly in 1985 with 140 games played.

In Their Own Story

On August 26, 1987, Paul Molitor's historic 39-game hitting streak came to an end in a dramatic fashion. Near the conclusion of the streak, columnist Mike Downey noted that the true marvel was not just the hitting, but that Molitor had played in 33 straight games despite his injury history. The streak ended with Molitor in the on-deck circle when Rick Manning hit a game-ending run to beat the Cleveland Indians. Fans booed Manning for driving in the winning run and denying Molitor one last chance at 40 consecutive games. Earlier in his Brewers tenure, Molitor faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 World Series. Although the team lost in seven games, Molitor delivered a .355 performance, including five hits in Game 1 to set a World Series record. He also displayed versatility by moving between shortstop, second base, center field, right field, and third base throughout his time in Milwaukee.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking to understand Molitor's impact should note his adaptability and resilience. After struggling with injuries for much of his early career, he emerged as a leader in 1982, leading the AL in runs scored with 136. On May 12 of that season, he hit three home runs against the Royals in a 9-7 loss. His offensive prowess continued to grow; by 1985, he played 140 games and hit .297 with 10 home runs. In 1986, despite suffering a hamstring injury that required him to leave and return only to reinjure it, he still managed 55 RBIs in 105 games. His ability to contribute across multiple positions—shortstop initially, then second base, third base, and the outfield—made him an invaluable asset. The 1987 season highlighted his durability and consistency, culminating in the 39-game hitting streak that remains a benchmark for modern baseball excellence.

Did You Know?

• Molitor underwent Tommy John surgery in 1984 after playing only 13 games due to elbow problems.
• During the 1982 World Series, Molitor set a record with five hits in Game 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
• His 39-game hitting streak in 1987 ended when Molitor made the final out of the game, not when Rick Manning drove in a game-winning run.
• Between his sophomore and junior years at the University of Minnesota, Molitor lost 40 pounds after breaking his jaw and having it wired shut for eight weeks.
• In 1982, Molitor led the American League with 136 runs scored while batting .302.