Remembering Lorenzo Cain’s Top 5 Moments In A Brewers Uniform

Lorenzo Cain has held a special place in the hearts of Brewers fans ever since he made his MLB debut with the Crew back in 2010. He was traded that winter to the Royals, won a World Series with them, and then signed back with the Crew in 2018.

Throughout the last 4.5 seasons that Cain has been a Brewer, he’s provided fans with a number of incredible moments.

As Cain’s Brewers career ends, let’s look back on some of Cain’s best moments in a Milwaukee uniform.

Best Lorenzo Cain Moment #5: Cain Saves The No-No

On September 11th, 2021, Corbin Burnes got the start for the Brewers against the Cleveland Indians. He ended up throwing eight no-hit innings with Josh Hader to finish off the 9th for only the second no-hitter in Brewers franchise history.

As much credit goes to Burnes, Hader, and catcher Omar Narvaez for their work that day to achieve that no-hitter, credit also needs to be given to Lorenzo Cain.

It seems nearly every no hitter has at least one spectacular defensive play to keep the no-no alive. Is anyone surprised that Lorenzo Cain provided that highlight reel play?

On a ball that was tailing away from him into the gap, and with Burnes nearing the end of his outing, Lorenzo Cain comes flying in to make the catch and roll into a somersault and save the no-no.

That ended up being the last pitch Burnes threw in that game and the closest Cleveland got to a base hit all game.

Completing a no-hitter was the cherry on top for the Brewers pitching staff in 2021. They had been having a dominant season all the way around, especially Burnes. Getting that no-hitter only continued to aid his winning bid for the NL Cy Young award. If that no-hitter wasn’t on his resume, would he have still come out on top in the very close balloting?

Just like everyone remembers Robin Yount’s diving catch to save Juan Nieves’ no-hitter in 1987, everyone will remember Lorenzo Cain’s diving catch to save this no-hitter for Burnes.

Best Lorenzo Cain Moment #4: Rundown Escapade x2

As gifted a defender as Lorenzo Cain is, he’s also known to show his chops on the basepaths. He had speed, yes, but also smarts.

He used those smarts on multiple occasions to make the Chicago Cubs look really dumb.

With Christian Yelich caught off second by Javy Baez, Yelich works his way into a rundown long enough to allow Cain to get to second base. But Cain stops short as the Cubs run Yelich back to second, assuming both will be on the bag and they can tag out one of them. Then Cain darts back to first base where no one is, and everybody is safe.

The Cubs looked like fools for not having anyone at first base and not getting an out anywhere on that play. Cain and the Brewers looked like geniuses.

It was a heads up play that few players ever think of doing, especially in the heat of the moment.

You would think that after a play like that, the Cubs would’ve learned from their mistake, especially with Cain on the basepaths, but nope! He did it again to them in 2020 with Ben Gamel.

With Cain caught in the rundown this time between second and third base, he stays in it long enough and points to Gamel to run back to first where no one was standing and both of them ended up safe once again.

Fool me once, shame on me, but fool me twice, still shame on me.

Lorenzo Cain fooled the Cubs twice with this move and never got caught with it. His defensive prowess may lead to more highlight reel plays, but his baserunning acumen showed up in a big way in these two plays that are textbook examples of how to get out of a rundown.

Best Lorenzo Cain Moment #3: The Mile High Robbery

Late in the 2019 season, as the Milwaukee Brewers were trying to get hot heading into October, they had to finish out the year in Colorado against the Rockies, the team they eliminated in the 2018 postseason.

In the 7th inning, with the Brewers holding on to a 2-0 lead, Garrett Hampson hit a fly ball deep into center field off Junior Guerra.

But don’t worry, Lorenzo Cain was on patrol out there.

On a bad foot/ankle, Lorenzo Cain still had the ability to go back on a fly ball and make an incredible robbery at the wall and protect the lead.

It took every inch of his vertical and he came crashing down back on the dirt. The reaction of his teammates and Brian Anderson says it all. Day after day, Lorenzo Cain is making plays.

Earlier in that game, Cain also made a diving catch to prevent an extra base hit in the gap. Combine those two huge catches, plus playing through an injury, it just further shows his toughness and incredible ability on the baseball field.

This was after Christian Yelich was out for the rest of the season with that knee injury, and the Brewers were needing someone to step up in his absence. Cain was one of those players that shined over the final few weeks on that 2019 Brewers squad.

These plays in Colorado only helped further prove the point that Cain was finally deserving of winning the Gold Glove award. Sure enough, a few weeks later, he was given his first career Gold Glove.

Best Lorenzo Cain Moment #2: The Opening Day Walk Off Robbery

Opening Day is always memorable. The fresh cut grass, the smell of freshly cooked sausages, the hope that a new season brings, and all the pomp and circumstance just make it special. But what made Opening Day 2019 even more special was Lorenzo Cain.

On this day, the Brewers were taking on the rival Cardinals. It’s always fun to beat the Cardinals, whether it’s Opening Day or not, but it’s especially fun to do it on Opening Day and to do it in the fashion Milwaukee did that day.

It was a 5-4 Brewers lead heading into the 9th inning. Josh Hader was on to close the game for the Crew. He already had two outs and just had to face the slugging Jose Martinez.

Martinez had all of Milwaukee’s hearts drop for a few seconds. Until Lorenzo Cain came to the rescue.

You don’t get more insane and clutch than that. With 2 outs in the 9th, a potential game tying home run is robbed by Lorenzo Cain to end the game and secure the Opening Day victory for the Brewers over their rivals.

The reaction was perfect. Cain just launched the ball up in the air in celebration, it may not have even landed. Just pure elation and joy from Cain and his Brewers teammates, plus the 40,000+ fans in attendance at that game. It was one of the greatest endings to a Brewers game in recent memory and it kicked off that Gold Glove campaign for Cain in 2019.

Cain’s robbery instantly vaulted that game into one of the most memorable Opening Day games in franchise history.

When most people think of Lorenzo Cain with the Brewers, especially his defense, they think of this play. This is the first one that pops into people’s head.

But it only comes at No. 2 on our ranking. The top spot goes to a moment on offense…