Yount courted controversy in the winter of 1978-79. He threatened to retire from the game and take up professional golf rather than be underpaid by the Brewers. His demands were met during Spring Training in 1979 and he played a full season.

Always a better-than-average hitter, by 1980 Yount had developed himself into the prototypical power-hitting shortstop, although his power numbers would be eclipsed in the following decades by Cal Ripken, Jr., Nomar Garciaparra and Alex Rodriguez.

An All-Star in 1980, 1982 and 1983, Yount collected more hits in 1980s than any other player, and won a Gold Glove Award for his fielding prowess in 1982. That same year, he won his first MVP award and helped led the Brewers to their only World Series appearance, where he became the only player to collect four hits in two different World Series games.

In 1985, a shoulder problem forced Yount to move to the outfield. After splitting time between center field and left field, Yount became the Brewers' regular center fielder in 1986. In 1989, Yount collected a second MVP award, making him only the third player to win MVP awards at two different positions.

Yount collected the 3,000th hit of his career in 1992, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.

Yount served as first base coach and bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2002 to 2004. He resigned after the dismissal of Arizona manager Bob Brenly.

In 2005, Brewers manager Ned Yost convinced Dale Sveum, both teammates of Yount's on the Brewers, to become Milwaukee's new third base coach. Yount followed suit a few weeks later, accepting a post as the Brewers' bench coach.

He holds the Brewers' career records for Games, At Bats, Runs, Hits, Doubles, Triples, Home Runs, RBIs, Total Bases, Walks, and Strike Outs.