On this day one year ago longtime Brewer Dave Bush signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, once and for all ending his Brewer tenure.
Bush had come to the Brewers along with outfielder Gabe Gross and pitcher Zach Jackson in a December, 2005 trade that sent Lyle Overbay to Toronto, and was a mainstay in Milwaukee's rotation for the next five seasons. His first year as a Brewer was probably his best one: He pitched a career-high 210 innings in 2006 with a 4.41 ERA, striking out a career high 7.1 batters per nine and walking just 1.6 to lead the NL in K/BB ratio.
Bush started 144 games in his five seasons as a Brewer. That's the 12th most in franchise history, and only Ben Sheets (221) has made more during the Miller Park era. He's also the Brewer career leader with 58 career HBP. Jamey Wright (49) is the only player to come within ten of that mark. Randy Wolf is the active franchise leader with 22.
Bush appeared in 17 games with the Rangers last season but only made three starts and posted a 5.79 ERA. He finished the season in the Phillies organization and re-signed with them as a minor league free agent this winter.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Matt Miller, who turns 23.
- Brevard County Manatee Scott Krieger, who turns 25.
- Mark Rogers, who turns 26.