On this day in 1982 one of the better pitchers in Brewer franchise history took the first step toward a long pro career. With the 44th overall pick in the January Secondary draft, the Brewers selected Sacramento Community College pitcher Chris Bosio.
Bosio made his pro debut later that same season and was called up to the big leagues for the first time in August of 1986, making ten appearances down the stretch. He would go on to be a full time major leaguer in Milwaukee for the next six seasons, and posted a 3.76 ERA over 1190 innings.
1989 was Bosio's first full season as a starting pitcher and his best as a Brewer: He posted a 2.95 ERA while pitching 234.2 innings. He finished among the AL leaders that year in ERA (6th), WHIP (6th), walks per nine innings (4th), strikeouts per nine innings (8th), innings pitched (9th) and complete games (4th).
Following the 1992 season Bosio left as a free agent, signing a four year deal with the Mariners. He returned to Milwaukee following his playing career and was working as a coach in the Brewer organization until the Cubs hired him away this winter.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 1981-85 Brewer Chuck Porter, who turns 57.
- Milwaukee native Joe Hauser, who would have turned 113. Hauser played six major league seasons between 1922-29, mostly as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics.