On this day in 1974 Glendon Rusch was born in Seattle, Washington. He was 18 years old when the Royals selected him in the 17th round of the 1993 draft and a few years later he was one of the game's top prospects, ranking among Baseball America's top 100 in both 1996 and 1997.
Five major league seasons later, Rusch was still trying to reach his potential when the Mets traded him to the Brewers as part of the three team deal that sent Jeromy Burnitz to New York. He was still only 27, but Rusch's career still didn't pick up in Milwaukee: He posted a 5.34 ERA over two seasons with the Brewers before leaving as a free agent.
Rusch pitched five more major league seasons as a Cub, Padre and Rockie.
Rusch turns 38 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2004-05 Brewer Dave Krynzel, who turns 31. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
- 1998 Brewer Travis Smith, who turns 40.
- 2003 Brewer Todd Ritchie, who turns 41.
- 1992-93 Brewer William Suero, who would have turned 46.
- 1978-80 Brewer Buck Martinez, who turns 64.