After a gaudy ballot for the 1980s that saw five former Brewers receive enough votes for induction into the DoU Hall of Greatness, it was tough to watch the ballots for the 1990s come my way throughout the weekend. I received more than one blank ballot and numerous comments regarding the dearth of talent in Milwaukee throughout the entire decade.
The votes are tallied, and only one member of the ballot that focused upon the 1990s Brewers eclipsed the requisite 65 percent needed for induction: Jeff Cirillo.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Jeff Cirillo in the 11th round of the 1991 amateur draft out of the University of Southern California. He made his major-league debut in 1994 and ultimately spent eight seasons with the Brewers, including a five-year hiatus between the 2000 and 2004 seasons. Known for a slick glove at third base and a plus hit tool, Cirillo finished his Brewers career with a .307/.383/.449 slash line and enjoyed three-consecutive seasons with more than +5.0 WAR starting in 1997 — which happened to be his only All-Star season in Milwaukee. It was perhaps the 1998 season that marked the high point of his career, though. He hit .321/.402/.445 with 14 home runs and 10 stolen bases, as well as phenomenal defense at third base. TotalZone ratings had him worth +16 runs defensively at third base that season. Cirillo now works as an analyst for the Milwaukee Brewers’ television broadcasts.
No other player received 60 percent of the vote or better, though Jeromy Burnitz and Greg Vaughn will appear on next year’s ballot with less than a ten-percent gap to merit induction into the DoU Hall of Greatness.
Here are the complete voting results:
| Player | % of Vote |
|---|---|
| Jeff Cirillo | 89.47% |
| Jeromy Burnitz | 57.89% |
| Greg Vaughn | 55.26% |
| Dave Nilsson | 28.95% |
| B.J. Surhoff | 28.95% |
| Darryl Hamilton | 23.68% |
| Cal Eldred | 21.05% |
| Mike Fetters | 18.42% |
| John Jaha | 15.79% |
| Bill Wegman | 15.79% |
| Doug Jones | 13.16% |
| Kevin Seitzer | 13.16% |
| Bob Wickman | 13.16% |
| Fernando Vina | 10.53% |
| Jose Valentin | 7.89% |
| Pat Listach | 5.26% |
| Jaime Navarro | 5.26% |
| Ricky Bones | 2.63% |
| Phil Garner | 2.63% |
A couple people voted for Bob Uecker in this ballot. I chose, however, to grandfather those Uecker votes to the 2000s ballot, where he will be featured as one of the prominent Brewers’ figures who will be considered for induction later this week. If you have any questions or concerns regarding that decision, please feel free to email me.
Judging from the emails I have received, it seems many of you are really enjoying the project, which is wonderful. That’s the point, after all! Be sure to check back on Thursday, when the 2000s will be featured and voting will open for the final time this year in the inaugural DoU Hall of Greatness project.
He also struck out Craig Counsell!
I remember being there for that and needing a couple double takes to make sure it was him out there.
‘Rillo!! My favorite Brewer of all time!!