Milwaukee Brewers: The Top 5 Third Basemen In Franchise History

19 Jul 1998: Infielder Jeff Cirillo #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during a game against the Atlanta Braves at the Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Brewers 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
19 Jul 1998: Infielder Jeff Cirillo #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during a game against the Atlanta Braves at the Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Brewers 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /
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Milwaukee Brewers
19 Jul 1998: Infielder Jeff Cirillo #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during a game against the Atlanta Braves at the Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Brewers 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

3. Jeff Cirillo

Years as a Brewer: 1994-1999, 2005-2006

Jeff Cirillo was also stuck on some mediocre Brewers teams, but he was the lone bright spot on those ’90s teams.

During eight seasons in a Milwaukee uniform, Cirillo had a .307/.383/.449 slash line. He was never much for power, hitting only 73 homers, but he had a special talent for getting on base. Cirillo had an OPS+ over 120 in three seasons in Milwaukee, with those coming in 1996, 1998, and 1999.

An All-Star in 1997, Cirillo was a player who didn’t strike out much and drew a lot of walks. He was always on base.

He was also a strong defender, and could play anywhere on the field, but he mostly stuck at third base for his career.

Cirillo returned to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005 as a free agent and put up pretty good numbers as a 35 year old. He slashed .281/.373/.427 that year and signed with the Crew one more time for 2006. That year, Cirillo hit .319 and played his final game as a Brewer before retiring in 2007 with Arizona.

In eight seasons with the Crew, Cirillo finished with an above-average OPS+ in every year except his rookie year in 1994. His offensive numbers are good enough for third on this list of best third basemen in Brewers history.