Brewers' Christian Yelich makes history in first World Series

Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich. Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire

Brewers' Christian Yelich makes history in first World Series

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 12:23 AM ET

Entering the 2026 World Series, Christian Yelich, the sixth among active players with the most games without appearing in a World Series, made history right away in his Fall Classic debut on Friday night.

Now no longer on that list, Yelich joined another selective group of players, although one he's happier to be part of in his first World Series plate appearance. Yelich sent a runner home with a triple, becoming only the seventh player to ever triple in their first time up in a World Series game, as Sarah Langs credits to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.

Christian Yelich immediately accomplished rare World Series history

And prior to Game 1 of the 2026 World Series, the last such occurrence was by Lynn Jones in 1985 for the eventual champion Kansas City Royals.

That hit would be his only of the night — he went 1-for-4, but it allowed one of the longest-tenured Milwaukee Brewers to make his presence felt right away.

Deserving of baseball's biggest stage as much as anyone, Yelich has been with Milwaukee since being traded by the Miami Marlins in January 2018.

Christian Yelich entered with the 6th-most career games among active players without playing in WS

He’s the 7th to triple in his 1st career WS PA, joining:

1985 G1 Lynn Jones
1955 G3 Andy Carey
1954 G1 Vic Wertz
1945 G1 Bill Nicholson
1916 G1 Tilly Walker
1903 G1 Tommy Leach… https://t.co/3f1AWIGogw
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 24, 2026

Yelich started becoming a franchise legend from his first season with the Brewers

Yelich, 34, had yet to fully make a name for himself despite being five years into his career at that point, then started taking his game to another level as one of the leaders of the Brewers. Yelich hit 36 home runs with 110 RBI, which still stands as his single-season high, and a .326 batting average in 2018, leading to him being named the National League MVP.

He would then finish as the runner-up for the 2019 MVP the following season, crushing 44 homers with 97 RBI, a .329 average, a .429 OBP and a .671 slugging percentage. Yelich has since put together a resume that also includes three All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.

However, it took until his sixth postseason run and his 35th career playoff game, all with Milwaukee, before Yelich could prove himself in a World Series.

He will now have at least three more opportunities to soak up the World Series. And based on the result from the series opener - Milwaukee beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2- if it's only three more games, that regarded as Yelich will add World Series champion forever as well.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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