Today In Brewer History: Happy Anniversary, Mark Clear

Mark Clear was a great Brewer reliever for three seasons in the late 1980's, but he took a roundabout path to get there.

Clear was drafted by the Phillies in 1974 but was released the next spring. He signed with the Angels and was an All Star in his 1979 debut season before moving on to the Red Sox, where he pitched for five years and made another All Star appearance in 1982. Finally on this day in 1985 the Brewers acquired Clear from Boston for infielder Ed Romero.

Clear was excellent out of the Brewer 'pen in the three years that followed, posting a 3.28 ERA and striking out over nine batters per nine innings over 181 innings. He finished 105 of the 142 games he appeared in as a Brewer and recorded 24 saves.

Unfortunately, Clear's career came to a somewhat abrupt end in 1988 when he developed elbow soreness and was limited to 25 games. 1988 was only his age 32 season, but Clear appeared in just four more major league games.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• 2009 Brewer Josh Butler, who turns 28.
• 1990 Brewer Bob Sebra, who turns 51.
• 1959-65 Milwaukee Brave Lee Maye, who turns 78. We covered his birthday in this space last year.