Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Ben Sheets

by Kyle Lobner on Jul 18, 2011 6:01 AM CDT in History

On this day in 1978, Ben Sheets was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a college career at Louisiana-Monroe the Brewers drafted Sheets with the tenth overall pick in the 1999 draft, and he needed just two professional seasons (and some time with the 2000 US Olympic team) to prove he deserved a spot at the top of a rotation in the big leagues.

Sheets made his major league debut in 2001 when he was just 22 years old, posting a 4.76 ERA over 151.1 innings and making his first of four All Star appearances. As would become relatively common over the course of his career, he missed some time with injuries: He missed multiple starts in April and most of August and September with rotator cuff tendonitis.

Sheets had several very good seasons in Milwaukee (including a career year in 2004), but unfortunately he's probably best remembered for his durability issues. He averaged just 21 starts per season from 2005-07, and broke down again down the stretch during the Brewers' playoff run in 2008. Despite the injuries, however, Sheets is the second greatest pitcher in Brewer history by rWAR:

Pitcher	Seasons	rWAR
Teddy Higuera	1985-94	28.3
Ben Sheets	2001-08	23.8
Chris Bosio	1986-92	17.9
Bill Wegman	1985-95	16.2
Mike Caldwell	1977-84	15.9

Sheets turns 33 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:

1997 Brewer Anthony Williamson, who turns 38.
1960-65 Milwaukee Brave Joe Torre, who turns 71.

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Sheets is the type of pitcher who was a tragedy for a teams fans...

He had absolutely ridiculous stuff and when healthy was a legit top 10 pitcher in the MLB. He was an Elite pitcher who should have had a phenomenal career, instead because he couldn’t stay healthy he would put together brilliant stretches followed by ineffective or just non existent periods… I miss him, he was fun to watch but I am also can’t believe a guy with that kind of talent couldn’t stay smart and keep himself in shape. He wasn’t unlucky, he simply didn’t take care of himself (according to everything that has been released publicly anyway).

Streak Breakers.com

by Flanyboy on Jul 18, 2011 6:11 AM CDT reply actions

Just lazy

I don’t know the guy, but like Flanyboy said, everything that has come out about Sheets agrees with that statement. It’s too bad that some of the guys with mountains of talent take it for granted, while the pure effort guys would kill for just a little bit of that ability.

He’s actually underrated, but that’s another can of worms…

by jarlbartar on Jul 18, 2011 7:13 AM CDT up reply actions

By the same right, his motion was terrible

To get the snap on the curveball that he had required a pretty terrible motion. Kerry Wood lost it all doing that, too. The inner ear infection wasn’t really Sheets’ fault, either. He deserves his share of blame for not always being in shape, but there have been many great pitchers that didn’t stay in shape (or stay sober, for that matter).

Founder of the BCBCU - Est. 2011

by ecocd on Jul 18, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed!

It would always irritate me when he had blister issues and they would pan to a shot of him going to town on his fingers. Leave them alone ya big kid!

He’s actually underrated, but that’s another can of worms…

by jarlbartar on Jul 18, 2011 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Williamson

Known as Antone when with the Brewers.

by statsllc on Jul 18, 2011 6:32 AM CDT reply actions

Has there been any news on Sheets since his latest surgery last year?

Is he still expected to make a comeback next year?

by KittenMittons on Jul 18, 2011 6:45 AM CDT reply actions

Sheets vs. Santana

In April 2008 I was at Shea Stadium to see Sheets pitch a fantastic game, outperforming Johann Santana in the latter’s Mets home debut. The game didn’t start off well, as Sheets gave up two runs in the first inning, and I remember thinking, uh oh, this is going to be a long game.

But then the Brewers got some runs, and Sheets absolutely clamped down. 7.2 innings, 5 hits, 3 ER, 5 Ks, 2 BBs. Once he was locked in, he made the Mets hitters look silly. There was no question he had the game in control. I had a blast.

When Sheets was on, which was most of the time when he was healthy, he was as dominant a pitcher I’ve ever seen pitch for my team – along the lines of Sabbathia – and I appreciate him for that. That game, in which he outshined New York’s own shiny new ace, remains one of my best baseball memories.

Happy birthday, Benny!

by rBaz on Jul 18, 2011 12:53 PM CDT reply actions

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