On this day in 1969 Bob Wickman was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wickman went to college at UW-Whitewater before the White Sox selected him in the second round (44th overall pick) in the 1990 draft. Longtime Brewer fans might remember 1990 as the year the Brewers drafted outfielder Larue Baber, shortstop Mike Carter, pitcher Donnie Blair and 40 other players who combined to net -1.9 wins above replacement (rWAR) in the majors.
Before Wickman could make his major league debut he was dealt to the Yankees, where he spent his first five seasons before coming to the Brewers in a five player deal in August of 1996. Wickman spent much of the next five years as the Brewer closer, and set a franchise record by closing out 37 wins in 1999. That's still tied for the fifth-highest single season mark in franchise history:
| Rank | Player | Season | Saves |
| 1 | John Axford | 2011 | 46 |
| 2 | Francisco Cordero | 2007 | 44 |
| t3 | Derrick Turnbow | 2005 | 39 |
| t3 | Dan Kolb | 2004 | 39 |
| t5 | Trevor Hoffman | 2009 | 37 |
| t5 | Bob Wickman | 1999 | 37 |
Wickman made his first of two career All Star appearances in 2000 but didn't hang around long to celebrate: He was traded to the Indians in July of that year as part of a seven-player deal that brought Richie Sexson to Milwaukee. Wickman pitched six seasons in Cleveland and is the Indians' all time saves leader with 139.
Wickman turns 42 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- AZL Brewer Chad Thompson, who turns 21.
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Carlos George, who turns 23.
- 2003 Brewer Peter Zoccolillo, who turns 35.