The biggest announcement of the Brewers' off-season -- at least to date -- hit fans like a punch to the solar plexus.

Robin Yount isn't coming back.

The bench coach / Hall of Famer / franchise icon informed general manager Doug Melvin that he wanted to spend more time with his family. The Brewers, who have learned a lesson or two about bad news, slipped the press release out just after 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

"This was a very difficult decision for me," Yount said in the team's statement. "I have such a passion for the job and I did not want to shortchange the club by not being able to fully commit to the position. The decision came down to devoting more time to my family."

Since this is a relatively quiet period on the baseball calendar (the general manager's meetings begin this week in Naples, Fla., but what happens there is generally more preliminary than earthshaking) some fans may be tempted to look at Yount's departure in a search for signs.

That trail will lead many to some predictable stops. For example:

Robin wanted out because he thinks the Brewers stink and doesn't want to be associated with a loser. In the space of a year, he recognized the same traits -- penny-pinching, dumpster-diving and praying for miraculous overachievement -- that he experienced as a player.

Or...

Robin had major philosophical differences with Ned Yost. He doesn't respect his managerial acumen and didn't want to be at his side when the ship sinks next spring.

Along those lines, there is this variation:

Yount still likes Yost, but fears that his friend will be fired if the team gets off to a bad start next season. That would put him in an uncomfortable situation similar to the one he faced when he worked in Arizona. The Diamondbacks fired manager Bob Brenly and reportedly looked to Yount, who was bench coach at the time, to take over the reins. Yount, who is exceedingly loyal, refused the offer and resigned.

And finally, there is one from conspiracy theorists for whom searching the grassy knoll isn't enough. They have to toke up, as well:

The Brewers weren't impressed with Yount's coaching ability and / or work ethic and let him play "the family card" in order to camouflage the fact that they fired a franchise icon. (Note: In order to subscribe to this theory, one must believe that bench coaches play a pivotal role in team's success or failure. The meeting for that group will be held in a phone booth next week).

During a down time for the industry, these theories may provide an interesting diversion. In terms of validity... let's just say they fall a little short.

I haven't spoken to Yount since the season ended, but let's just say that nobody who was around the clubhouse last year was surprised to hear that he hung it up. You may have read or heard his sound bites from the final homestand about 'everybody who knows me knows I go year to year,' or 'I don't think about the future until it comes...'"

Yount also said at the time that he would be stunned if he wasn't back with the club in 2007.

So, what happened?

Here are two theories that you can pretty much take to the bank:

Yount's wife, Michelle, wanted him home.

Can it be that simple?

Yes.

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