Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Matt Mieske

On this day in 1968 Matt Mieske was born in Midland, Michigan. He went to college at Western Michigan and was already 22 when the Padres selected him in the 17th round (471st overall pick) of the 1990 draft. Two years later the Padres sent him to the Brewers along with Ricky Bones and Jose Valentin in the Gary Sheffield trade.

Mieske made his major league debut as a Brewer in 1993 and spent most of the next five seasons playing the outfield in Milwaukee. His overall slash line (.260/.317/.436) would suggest that he wasn't much to write home about, but Mieske crushed left-handed pitchers. Take a look at his career splits:

35 of Mieske's 56 career home runs came against left handed pitchers. 44 of those 56 came as a Brewer.

The Brewers let Mieske leave as a free agent following the 1997 season and he played three more seasons in the big leagues as a member of four teams. He was done in the big leagues at age 32, and now works as a financial planner.

Mieske turns 44 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday today to:

• Wisconsin Timber Rattler T.J. Mittlestaedt, who turns 24.
• 1981 Brewer Donnie Moore, who would have turned 58.
• 1977-81 Brewer and former GM Sal Bando, who turns 68.