Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Scott Podsednik

On this day in 1976 Scott Podsednik was born in West, Texas, a city about 80 miles south of Dallas. He was 18 years old when the Rangers selected him out of high school in the third round (85th overall pick) of the 1994 draft.

Podsednik's path to the big leagues had several detours (a trade, a Rule 5 selection and minor league free agency), but he made his major league debut with the Mariners in 2001. He was 27 years old but had still only appeared in 19 major league games when the Brewers claimed him off waivers in October 2002.

With the Brewers, however, Podsednik immediately became one of the few bright spots on some bad teams. He played in 308 of the Brewers' 324 games in 2003 and 2004, hitting .276/.344/.401 with 113 stolen bases in 136 attempts. Two years after being claimed off waivers, Podsednik was the centerpiece of a trade with the White Sox that brought Carlos Lee to Milwaukee.

Despite having played just two seasons in Milwaukee, Podsednik's 113 steals are the fifth most in franchise history. He's the only Brewer ever to accumulate more than 50 steals while averaging better than one stolen base for every three games played.

Podsednik last played in the majors in 2010, and split 2011 between the Phillies and Blue Jays organizations in the minors. This spring he's in camp with the Phillies.

Podsednik turns 36 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:

• 2005-06 Brewer Tomo Ohka, who turns 36.
• 1980-81 Brewer Rickey Keeton, who turns 56.
• 1961 and 1964-65 Milwaukee Brave Chi-Chi Olivo, who would have turned 84.