On this day in 1987, the Brewers reached out to an unlikely place to sign a talented player: They signed 17-year-old Brisbane, Australia native Dave Nilsson as an international free agent.

Despite being just 17 years old Nilsson made an immediate splash in the minors, hitting .394/.453/.479 in his first pro season. In 1991 he dominated AA as a 21 year old, and Baseball America listed him as the 29th best prospect in all of baseball before the 1992 season.

Nilsson played 837 games during his eight seasons as a Brewer, splitting time between catcher, first base, DH and the outfield. He was a career .284/.356/.461 hitter in the majors, made the All Star team in his final season in 1999 and might be the best player in Australian baseball history.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• 2004-05 Brewer Lyle Overbay, who turns 35.
• 2004-05 Brewer Junior Spivey, who turns 37.
• 1999 Brewer Steve Falteisek, who turns 40.