On this day in 1968, the American League held an expansion draft to help stock its two new entries for the 1969 season, the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots. The future Brewers had the second and third pick in the draft and selected first baseman Don Mincher and infielder/outfielder Tommy Harper as the first two of their 30 selections.
Mincher went on to be one of the Pilots' most productive hitters in 1969 before being traded to the A's in a deal that netted Lew Krausse, Ken Sanders and others. Harper, of course, was the first 30/30 player in Brewer history in 1970.
Here are some of the other future Brewers selected on this day:
- Jerry McNertney
- Marty Pattin
- Steve Hovley
- Skip Lockwood
Also drafted: Future manager Lou Piniella. The Pilots traded him to the Royals before their inaugural season started, and he went on to win the AL Rookie of the Year for Kansas City.