On this day in 1999, the Brewers hired Davey Lopes to be the 13th manager in franchise history. Lopes had played 16 seasons in the major leagues between 1972-87 as a member of the Dodgers and three other teams and had coached in the Rangers, Orioles and Padres organizations, but the Brewers were his first managerial job at any level.
Saying Lopes' tenure with the Brewers was an unmitigated disaster might not be an overstatement. The Brewers weren't very good when Lopes took over but they slid down the hill under his leadership, going 51 games under .500 in his 2+ seasons. Lopes was fired after the Brewers opened the 2002 season 3-12.
Since being let go by the Brewers, Lopes has coached in the Padres, Nationals, Phillies and Dodgers organizations. He hasn't been given another chance to manage, and likely never will.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2002 Brewer Ryan Thompson, who turns 44.
- 1974 Brewer Dick Selma, who would have turned 68.
- 1970 Brewer Tito Francona, who turs 78.