LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Robin Yount of the Milwaukee Brewers and George Brett of the Kansas City Royals, who both collected career hit No. 3,000 this season, were named co-recipients of the American League's Joe Cronin Award.
The award, named for the late president and chairman of the board of the American League, is presented 'for significant achievement.'
Both Yount and Brett accomplished the feat in September, with Brett going 4-for-4 on Sept. 30. His 3,000th hit was the last of the four hits on that day and came off California reliever Tim Fortugno in Anaheim, Calif.
Yount's 3,000th hit was a seventh inning single off Cleveland's Jose Mesa in Milwaukee on Sept. 9.
Yount became the 17th player in major league history -- and Brett the 18th -- to record 3,000 hits. At 36, Yount was the third youngest to do so. Only Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron were younger. Brett was 39 when he notched his 3,000th.
Brett's hit occurred 20 years to the day after the late Roberto Clemente posted his 3,000th hit, the last of his career.
The Joe Cronin Award was established in 1973 to recognize distinguished and significant achievements by American League players. No award was presented in 1991.
