Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Rollie Fingers

On this day in 1946, Roland Glen "Rollie" Fingers was born in Steubenville, Ohio. He was 18 years old when the Kansas City A's signed him as an amateur free agent in 1964, but the team had moved to Oakland before he made his major league debut in 1968. Fingers pitched nine seasons as an A and four as a Padre before having an extremely eventful month of December in 1980.

On December 8, 1980 the Padres traded Fingers to the Cardinals as part of an eleven player deal. Four days later the Cardinals turned around and traded Fingers, Ted Simmons and Pete Vuckovich to the Brewers in a seven player deal that has to be considered one of the best in franchise history.

Fingers pitched his final four major league seasons and recorded his final 97 career saves as a member of the Brewers between 1981-85. In 1981 he posted a 1.04 ERA in 47 relief appearances, recording 28 saves and winning both the American League Cy Young and MVP awards. When he recorded his 300th save during the 1982 season, he was the first major leaguer ever to do so.

Fingers was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, receiving votes on 349 of 430 ballots. His #34 has since been retired by the Brewers.

Fingers turns 65 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• Huntsville Star Cody Scarpetta, who turns 23.
• Wisconsin Timber Rattler Nick Shaw, who turns 23.
• Seattle Pilot Dooley Womack, who turns 72.