Gantner was an unheralded player despite nearly two decades of dependable performances that put him among the Brewers' all-time leaders in almost every offensive category. He became Milwaukee's starting second baseman in 1981 and led the AL in chances at the position three times.
Gantner hit .282 with career highs in HR (11) and RBI (74) in 1983, and was the Brewers' MVP in 1984. He suffered a career-threatening knee injury in a 1989 collision with Yankee outfielder Marcus Lawton, but returned for another three solid seasons before retiring after the 1992 season.
Gantner owned a Corvette which would eventually become the car of choice for many a Brewer. He sold it to John Jaha, who eventually passed it on to Jeromy Burnitz. Burnitz then sold it to former Milwaukee reliever Eric Plunk. (ME)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 29, 1979:
Kansas City blasts Milwaukee pitching for an 18–8 victory. Brett and Otis hit back-to-back home runs in the 8-run 4th, after LaCock hits a 3-run home run in the 5-run 3rd. Milwaukee finally uses 3B Sal Bando for three innings on the mound (2 runs), 2B Jim Gantner for an inning (no runs), and C Buck Martinez (1 run) in relief.
»September 3, 1991:
Milwaukee's Jim Gantner has a double and hits his 1st homer since 1987, a streak of 1762 at bats without a dinger. In two days he'll hit another. With two outs in the 9th, Robin Yount bangs a 3-run home run off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley for a 5–3 win.
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