By this point in 1971 the Brewers didn't have a whole lot to play for. They entered the game on this day at 57-76, in last place and almost 30 games behind the A's for the AL West lead (they had been mathematically eliminated earlier in the week). As such, they had no reason not to give a promising prospect a chance and see what he could do.
Enter Darrell Porter, the team's first round pick (fourth overall) in the 1970 June draft. Porter had never played above A ball, but hit .271/.415/.557 in 101 games for Danville in the Midwest League to earn a September callup. Porter started in his major league debut, batting sixth and going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. His first MLB hit would come three days later against the Angels. Marty Pattin pitched a complete game shutout and the Brewers won 1-0 on third baseman Tommy Matchick's RBI fielder's choice.
Porter was 19 years, 228 days old on the day of his debut, and at the time was the youngest player in franchise history. A few years later Robin Yount (18 years, 201 days) would break that record by more than a year.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 1995 Brewer Mike Thomas, who turns 42.
- 1995 and 1997 Brewer Jamie McAndrew, who turns 44.
- 1983-87 Brewer Rick Manning, who turns 57.
- 1980 Brewer John Flinn, who also turns 57.