Jim Gantner hit 45 home runs in his 17-year career with the Brewers. He had at least one HR in 13 of those 17 seasons. In 1988, however, Gantner had zero home runs, yet had 149 base hits. That was the most hits that season in Major League Baseball by a player without a home run.
Those 149 hits without a home run by Gantner in ’88 is also the team record for the Brewers. In fact, Gantner holds three of the Top 5 spots in that stat.
Jim Gantner has Brewers’ record for most hits in a season without a home run
Here are the Top 10 seasons by a Brewers’ player for most hits without a home run.
149-Jim Gantner, 1988
141-Willie Randolph, 1991
112-Jim Gantner, 1989
99-Tim Johnson, 1973
85-Jim Gantner, 1990
81-Charlie Moore, 1985
78-Ellie Rodriguez, 1973
75-Tim Johnson, 1976
73-Pat Listach, 1995
72-Bob Heise, 1972
Tim Johnson did not have a homer in his career
You probably noticed the name of Tim Johnson in the list above. The infielder played seven seasons in the bigs (1973-79) … five-plus with the Brewers. He holds the Brewers record for most career hits with the Brewers without a home run. Johnson had 248 hits with Milwaukee but no HRs.
Tim Johnson went on to play with Toronto in ’78 and ’79 where he collected another 35 hits with the Blue Jays… again without a home run. Johnson ended his playing career with 283 hits and no home runs.
The MLB record for most career hits without a home run is held by Jack McCarthy with 777. He played from 1900-07. Of players who played after 1970, Johnson tops the list with his 283 hits without a homer.
Going back to most hits in a season without a home run, the MLB season-record is 214 by Nap Lajoie in 1906. For players who played after 1970, the record is 196, held by Juan Pierre. In 2007 Pierre had 196 hits and no home runs with the L.A. Dodgers.
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