Today In Brewer History: Happy Anniversary, Dave Nilsson

by Kyle Lobner on Jan 28, 2012 6:00 AM CST in History

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.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

If me mate Dave was the thunder from down under, surely that means that I was the lightning.

Also, let’s just say that it is debatable who the best Aussie baseball player was. Did he ever play all nine positions on the diamond? No he did not.

by Trent Durrington on Jan 28, 2012 9:37 AM CST reply actions

Stupid Olympics

Nilsson was one of my favorite players, mainly because he was one of the few good players on those teams. And the jerk had to retire to play in the Olympics for Australia and promote the game down under. Where’s Australian baseball these days, Dave? Where’s Olympic baseball? Where are the terribly diappointing prospects Dean Taylor would have traded you for? They don’t exist, Dave. Thanks.

by mpbMKE on Jan 28, 2012 9:47 AM CST reply actions

Fine hitter

Boy was he slow though

by Big10freak on Jan 29, 2012 8:47 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	27	20	.574	0	Won 2
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	26	22	.541	1.5	Won 1
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	23	24	.489	4	Won 3
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	24	.478	4.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	27	.413	7.5	Lost 1
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	32	.319	12	Lost 12