On this day in 1946 Ellie Rodriguez was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. He was just 17 years old when he was signed by the Kansas City A's as an amateur free agent, and later that year he was selected by the Yankees in something called the "first-year draft." He made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1968, but only appeared in nine games before being selected by the Royals in the expansion draft. He played two seasons in Kansas City before being traded to the Brewers for pitcher Carl Taylor, who the Brewers had acquired four months earlier but had never used in a game.
Rodriguez would be the Brewers' primary catcher for each 1971-73 seasons, posting a .255/.357/.306 line and earning a selection to the AL All Star team in 1972. He did not, however, appear in the game. In fact, none of the first three Brewers selected to the midsummer classic were allowed to hit:
| Player | Season | Outcome |
| 1970 | Tommy Harper | Pinch ran for Harmon Killebrew, was caught stealing, and was replaced by Brooks Robinson. |
| 1971 | Marty Pattin | Did not pitch |
| 1972 | Ellie Rodriguez | Did not play. |
The first Brewer to actually bat in the game was Dave May, who went 0-for-2 as a reserve in 1973.
Rodriguez turns 65 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday today to:
- Huntsville Star Steffan Wilson, who turns 26.
- 2002 Brewer Dave Pember, who turns 33.