On this day in 1940 Dick Ellsworth was born in Lusk, Wyoming, a town just east of the Nebraska border. He went to high school in Fresno, California before the Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent in 1958. He made his major league debut later that same season with an appearance in a single game, but wasn't back in the big leagues full time until 1960.
Ellsworth had pitched 382 games over 12 seasons as a member of four teams when the Brewers claimed him off waivers from the Indians in August of 1970. He pitched the final 25 games of his major league career for Milwaukee during the 1970 and '71 seasons, posting a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings before being released.
When he made his major league debut in 1958 Ellsworth was just the second player in major league history born in Wyoming. He's still one of just 13, and he's the only former Brewer on the list.
Ellsworth turns 72 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 1999-2000 Brewer Sean Berry, who turns 46.
- 1979-80 Brewer Dan Boitano, who turns 59.
- Racine, Wisconsin native Eric Rasmussen, who turns 60. Rasmussen played eight major league seasons between 1975-83 as a member of the Cardinals and two other teams.
- 1973 Brewer Carlos Velasquez, who would have turned 64.
- 1963-65 Milwaukee Brave Gene Oliver, who would have turned 77.
- 1953 and 1955 Milwaukee Brave George Crowe, who would have turned 91.