This day in 1953 is truly one of the defining moments in the history of baseball in Milwaukee, as Boston Braves owner Lou Perini announced his plan to seek permission from the National League to move his team to Milwaukee. The Braves, who had their AAA team in the city and thus owned its territorial rights, had blocked the St. Louis Browns' effort to relocate to Milwaukee just weeks earlier.
Just one month and one day later, the inaugural Milwaukee Braves played their first home game at County Stadium. They beat the Cardinals 3-2 in ten innings in front of 34,357 fans, more than doubling the crowd from their single largest home date in 1952.
This day in 1954 was another key moment in Braves history, although it didn't look like a positive at the time. Braves outfielder Bobby Thomson broke his ankle while sliding into a base in a spring training game, an injury that would keep him out until June. While he was gone the Braves turned to rookie Hank Aaron to take his place: Aaron played in 122 games as a 20 year old rookie and went on to play 2954 more over the next 20 years.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Jason Rogers, who turns 24.
- 2002 Brewer Jorge Fabregas, who turns 42.