On this day in 1984 the Brewers released Don Money, effectively ending his 16 year major league career. Eleven of those 16 seasons came with the Brewers.
Money originally joined the Brewers as one of the more notable players in a seven player trade that sent four pitchers to the Phillies following the 1972 season, and his career took off almost immediately after he arrived in Milwaukee. After posting a .621 OPS in his final season in Philadelphia, he hit .281/.345/.428 in his first six seasons with the Brewers and made four All Star appearances.
Unfortunately, Money's career tapered off early. The 1978 season (his age 31 campaign) was the last time he ever played 100 games, and by the time he was 35 he was DH'ing more often than he was playing the field. Money was a solid part time player for the 1982 team but hit just .149/.220/.219 in 43 games in 1983 and was done as a player at the age of 36.
Over a decade later Money returned to the Brewer organization, signing on to manage the 1998 Beloit Snappers. He's managed 1947 games between three levels in the 14 seasons since, including the last three years in AAA. He'll be working as a coach in Helena this season.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2000-02 Brewer Tyler Houston, who turns 41.
- 1971-76 Brewer Darrell Porter, who would have turned 60.