On this day in 1977 the Brewers pulled off one of their better trades, sending pitcher Jim Slaton and reliever Rich Folkers to the Tigers for outfielder Ben Oglivie. Slaton had been a Brewer for seven years and made the AL All Star team for the first time in '77, while Oglivie was a 29 year old outfielder with a career .265/.316/.425 batting line.
Upon his arrival in Milwaukee, though, Oglivie's career turned around. He was a .300 hitter for the first time in 1978 and led the American League with 41 home runs in 1980, when he won his only Silver Slugger award.
All told, Oglivie spent nine seasons in Milwaukee and hit .277/.345/.461 over 1149 games, making three All Star appearances. Slaton, meanwhile, pitched just one season in Detroit before returning to the Brewers as a free agent and staying in Milwaukee for five more years. Rich Folkers never appeared in a game in a Tiger uniform.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer Matt Franco, who turns 19.
- 1977 and 1980-85 Brewer Ed Romero, who turns 54.
- 1982 Brewer Doc Medich, who turns 63.
- 1957-58 Milwaukee Brave Bob Hazle, who would have turned 81.