Nine years ago today the Brewers made a low-risk acquisition, signing former Angels pitcher Matt Wise to a minor league deal. Wise had pitched just seven major league games in 2002 before missing the entire 2003 season due to injury, and had struggled as a starter in the minors.
After just seven minor league appearances in 2004, though, Wise was up with the Brewers and had a pretty good run with the team. He pitched in the bullpen for Milwaukee in parts of the next four seasons and posted a 3.93 ERA over 215 innings, striking out 162 batters in 175 appearances.
Unfortunately, Wise's career took a severe and immediate downturn in 2007 after a July game against the Reds where he hit Cincinnati shortstop Pedro Lopez in the head with a pitch. Wise posted a 9.64 ERA in his last 15 appearances after that game in what turned out to be his final full major league season.
Wise is, however, still in baseball. He spent the 2012 season as the pitching coach for the Angels' Arizona Summer League affiliate.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2012 Helena Brewer Tyrone Taylor, who turns 19.
- 2012 Huntsville Star Brock Kjeldgaard, who turns 27.
- 1977-84 Brewer Mike Caldwell, who turns 64. We covered his birthday in this space last year.