Paul Molitor was known for a fair number of things during his time in Milwaukee, but power wasn't one of them. He hit just 160 home runs in his 15 seasons as a Brewer, averaging slightly more than ten per season. On this day in 1982, however, he hit three long balls in one day.
Molitor entered play on the day with one home run on the season, but he doubled that total by leading off the game with a solo shot off of Royals starter Dennis Leonard. He took Leonard deep again in the fifth inning, and hit the third shot off closer Dan Quisenberry in the ninth. All three home runs were solo shots, and unfortunately they weren't enough: The Royals won the game 9-7 with the help of three Brewer errors that led to four unearned runs.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2009 Brewer Felipe Lopez, who turns 30.
- 2003-05 Brewer Wes Helms, who turns 34.
- 1984 Brewer Willie Lozado, who turns 52.
- 1982 Brewer Kevin Bass, who also turns 52.
- 1970-71 Brewer Bob Heise, who turns 64.
- 1970-71 Brewer Ted Kubiak, who turns 69.
- 1971 Brewer Floyd Weaver, who would have turned 70.
- 1964-65 Milwaukee Brave and 1974 Brewer Felipe Alou, who turns 76.
- Milwaukee native Lave Cross, who would have turned 145. Cross played 21 major league seasons between 1887-1907 with the Phillies, Philadelphia A's and seven other teams.