On this day in 1942, John Felske was born in Chicago, IL. In 1961 the Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent and he made his major league debut as a 26 year old in July of 1968. He appeared in just four games as a Cub that season, but was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the minor league portion of the expansion draft over the winter.
Felske resurfaced in the majors as a Brewer in 1971, splitting time between catcher and first base in 50 games over the next two seasons. During his 113 plate appearances he posted a .137/.205/.216 batting line, and his .421 OPS is the lowest ever for a Brewer with at least 100 career PAs:
Player | Season(s) | OPS |
John Felske | 1972-73 | .421 |
John Vukovich | 1973-74 | .427 |
Gus Polidor | 1989-90 | .438 |
Jeff Huson | 1997 | .462 |
Lenn Sakata | 1977-79 | .491 |
Felske was also the fifth Illinois native to wear a Brewer uniform. The sixth was a little more memorable: Danville native Robin Yount debuted in 1974.
Felske turns 69 today.