Today In Brewer History: Selling Low On Al Dowling

On this day in 1971 the Brewers executed a trade, sending pitcher Al Downing to the Dodgers for outfielder Andy Kosco. Downing had only been a Brewer for a few months, but had gone 2-10 in seventeen appearances despite posting a 3.34 ERA.

Of course, the Brewers couldn't have known that Dowling, who was 29, was about to have the best year of his life. He was a 20-game winner for the Dodgers that year, posting a 2.68 ERA in a career-high 262.1 innings, completing 12 games and leading the NL with five shutouts. He finished third in the NL Cy Young voting in his first of seven seasons as a Dodger.

Andy Kosco, meanwhile, was hardly in Milwaukee long enough to unpack his bags. He appeared in 98 games for the 1971 team and hit .227/.291/.379 before being traded to the Angels after the season. Between 1968 and 1973 Kosco was traded five times in less than five years.

With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• AZL Brewer Jorge Lopez, who turns 19.
• 2010 Brewer Luis Cruz, who turns 28.
• Recent minor league free agent signee Cesar Izturis, who turns 32.
• 1999 Brewer Eddie Zosky, who turns 44.
• 1965 Milwaukee Brave Billy O'Dell, who turns 79.