On this day in 1953 the new Milwaukee Braves, still over a month away from their first game at Milwaukee County Stadium, pulled off a four-team, five-player trade with the Reds, Phillies and Dodgers. In the deal the Brewers gave up first baseman Earl Torgeson and cash and received outfielder Jim Pendleton, more cash and former Cincinnati outfielder Joe Adcock.
The Braves moved Adcock to first base and received immediate dividends in their first season in Milwaukee, as he finished third on the 1953 team with 18 home runs (Eddie Mathews led with 47). Adcock really came into his own the next season, though, hitting .308/.365/.520 in 1954 and finishing eighth in the balloting for NL MVP.
All told Adcock played ten seasons in Milwaukee and hit .285/.343/.511 with 239 home runs. He's featured on the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor at Miller Park.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2011 Brewer Sergio Mitre, who turns 32.
- 1975-76 Brewer Bobby Darwin, who turns 70.
Two years ago today pitchers and catchers reported to Maryvale to officially begin spring training in 2011. We covered that event in this space last year.