Today In Brewer History: Happy Anniversary, Derrick Turnbow

Derrick Turnbow was a fifth round pick for the Phillies in 1997, but his career got off to something of a slow start. He posted a 4.68 career ERA in the minors, was a Rule 5 pick for the Angels and by the end of the 2004 season he had already been a professional for eight seasons but didn't have much to show for it. That all started to change on this day in 2004 when Doug Melvin and the Brewers claimed him off waivers.

Turnbow was a revelation out of the Brewer bullpen in 2005, coming out of relative obscurity to post a 1.74 ERA in 69 appearances and tie a franchise record with 39 saves. He carried that momentum into 2006, where he posted 23 saves in the first half and made his only All Star appearance.

Unfortunately, that All Star appearance was the beginning of the end for what would turn out to be a flash-in-the-pan career. Turnbow posted an 11.29 ERA in the second half of 2006, walked over six batters per nine again in 2007 and made just eight appearances in 2008 before being done with major league baseball.

With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• Wisconsin Timber Rattler Ben McMahan, who turns 23.
• Seattle Pilot and 1970-71 Brewer Tommy Harper, who turns 72. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
  
• 1953-57 Milwaukee Brave Dave Jolly, who would have turned 88.