On this day in 1981, Mitch Stetter was born in Huntingburg, Indiana. He went to college at Indiana State before the Brewers selected him in the 16th round of the 2003 draft with the 459th overall pick. After five seasons in the minors, he made his major league debut as a September callup in 2007.
Stetter had made just 36 major league appearances when the Brewers reached the playoffs in 2008 but made the postseason roster and performed admirably, retiring all four batters he faced in three appearances against the Phillies in the NLDS.
Stetter's only full season in the majors to date came in 2009, but included another memorable moment: From June 9-24 of that season he struck out fourteen consecutive batters over six appearances. The streak included a career high four strikeout game.
Injuries have played a big role in the fact that Stetter has appeared in just 25 games as a Brewer over the last two seasons, and he became a free agent after the Brewers removed him from the 40 man roster this winter. As of this writing, Stetter has not signed with a team for 2012.
Stetter (who is on Twitter as @mitchstetter) turns 31 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday today to:
- Zelous Wheeler, who turns 25.
- Brevard County Manatee Juan Sanchez, who turns 25.
- Recent minor league free agent signee Brooks Conrad, who turns 32.
- 1996-97 Brewer Ron Villone, who turns 42.