On this day in 1961, Gustavo Adolfo "Gus" Polidor was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He was 20 years old when the Angels signed him as an international free agent, and 23 when he made his major league debut in 1985. In 1989 the Angels released him and he signed with the Brewers, starting a brief two year run in Milwaukee.
Polidor was the textbook definition of "all glove, no hit." In 97 games as a Brewer he hit just .184/.217/.221, the second lowest OPS ever for a Brewer to appear in 90 or more games as a non-pitcher (1970's infielder John Vukovich was slightly worse).
Polidor made his last major league appearance in 1993 as a member of the Marlins, and resurfaced again briefly as a replacement player during the 1994-95 strike. Unfortunately, he's best remembered for something that happened after his career was over: Shortly after the strike ended he was shot and killed in Venezuela when thieves were trying to steal his car and abduct his son.
Polidor would have turned 50 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday today to:
- 2000-01 Brewer Mark Sweeney, who turns 42.
- 1993 Brewer Rafael Novoa, who turns 44.