Today In Brewer History: So Long, Rollie Fingers

On this day in 1985 the Brewers released Rollie Fingers, effectively ending his major league career.

Fingers played the last four of his 17 major league seasons in Milwaukee, saving 97 games. Two of his seven career All Star appearances came as a Brewer, as did his MVP and Cy Young awards in 1981. Fingers was the first Brewer ever to win either of them.

After having great seasons in 1981 and '82, injuries derailed Fingers and he missed the entire 1983 campaign. He returned to the Brewers and had another good year in 1984 but struggled mightily in 1985: He walked better than three batters per nine innings for just the second time since 1969 and struck out just 3.9 batters per nine, easily the lowest rate of his career.

Legend has it that Pete Rose offered Fingers a contract to pitch for the Reds in 1986, but owner Marge Schott insisted he shave off his trademark mustache. Wikipedia says Fingers said, ""Well, you tell Marge Schott to shave her Saint Bernard, and I'll shave my mustache."

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to Milwaukee native and 1997-98 Brewer Paul Wagner. He turns 44.