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On this day in 1942 James Sherman Wynn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds signed him as an amateur free agent in 1962, but later that same year the Houston Colt .45's (later to be renamed the Astros) took him as part of the "first-year player draft," a supplemental draft for that year's two expansion teams.
Wynn played the outfield for fifteen years in the majors and is almost certainly best remembered as an Astro (where he hit 20 or more home runs in seven of his eleven seasons) or Dodger (two All Star appearances in as many seasons in 1974-75), but he finished his career with 36 games as a member of the 1977 Milwaukee Brewers. By that point most of the magic had left "The Toy Cannon's" bat, and he hit just .197/.294/.239 in 136 plate appearances.
Wynn finished his career with 291 home runs, still the 141st most in major league history. He's also 52nd all time with 1224 walks. According to his Baseball Reference page his most similar major leaguer is another former Brewer, Mike Cameron.
Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for informing me that Wynn turns 70 today. We'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- Frankie De La Cruz, who turns 28.
- 1997 Brewer Greg Hansell, who turns 41.
- 1991-95 Brewer Mike Ignasiak, who turns 46.