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Today In Brewer History: Not All That Glitters Is Gold

Here's CC Sabathia, moments after learning he could have started his pro career as a Brewer.
Here's CC Sabathia, moments after learning he could have started his pro career as a Brewer.

On this day in 1980, Jon-Michael (J.M.) Gold was born in Belleville, New Jersey. Eighteen years later, Gold went on to be selected #13 overall by the Brewers in the 1998 draft, out of a New Jersey High School. Unfortunately, being a first round pick was Gold's biggest professional accomplishment, as he went on to be one of the worst early draft picks in recent memory.

Gold played six professional seasons in the Brewer organization, but threw more than 40 innings just one time (for Low-A Beloit as a 19 year old), and never reached AA. His professional career was over at age 23, when he posted a 6.65 ERA in eleven appearances (three starts) for High-A High Desert. 

It's not entirely fair to second guess draft picks, because the amateur draft is something of a crap shoot after the early picks. But if you're looking for a reason to get depressed today, here are some of the players who were drafted in the first round after Gold:

Player Drafted Team Career rWAR
Jeff Weaver 14th Tigers 14.4
Brad Lidge 17th Astros 7.4
CC Sabathia 20th Indians 43.4
Brad Wilkerson 33rd Expos 10.3
Aaron Rowand 35th White Sox 19.2
Mark Prior 43rd Yankees 13.7

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to: