Any list of the most influential figures in the history of baseball in Milwaukee has to start with Boston businessman Lou Perini. He was one of three investors that bought the Boston Braves in 1946, worked with his brothers to purchase full control of the team in 1951 and in 1953 he moved the franchise to Milwaukee, becoming the first major league team to relocate in 50 years.
With that said, the quality of the team on the field and the accompanying attendance were starting to decline when Perini sold the team to general manager John McHale and six former White Sox stockholders on this day in 1962. Perini's B-Ref Bullpen page says he purchased full control of the team for $500,000, and this page says he sold it for about $6.2 million slightly more than a decade later.
The Braves would go on to play just three more seasons in Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2012 Brevard County Manatee Greg Holle, who turns 24.
- 1961-65 Milwaukee Brave Frank Bolling, who turns 81.
- Superior, Wisconsin native and UW-Superior alum Morrie Arnovich, who would have turned 102. Arnovich played seven major league seasons between 1936-46 as a member of the Phillies and two other teams.
Today is also the ninth anniversary of the Brewers signing Australian position player Trent Durrington in 2003. We covered that event in this space last year.