On this day in 1975 Dan Kolb was born in Sterling, Illinois, a city near the state's northwest corner. He was drafted by the Rangers in the sixth round in 1995 and played his first four major league seasons there, but had recorded just one career save when the Brewers signed him as a free agent in April of 2003.
Kolb started the 2003 season with AAA Indianapolis but pitched his way onto the big league roster by June and became the Brewers' closer in July. Over the next two seasons he recorded 60 saves (setting a franchise record at the time by closing 39 games in 2004) and was an NL All Star in 2004. Following the season the Brewers traded him to Atlanta, but after a rough year there he was back with the team in 2006.
All told, Kolb made 154 of his 290 career appearances as a Brewer, posting a 3.31 ERA over 147 innings. His 61 career saves are tied for the seventh most in franchise history.
Kolb turns 38 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 1999 and 2002 Brewer Alex Ochoa, who turns 40.
- 1993 Brewer Juan Bell, who turns 44.
- 1983-84 Brewer Tom Tellman, who turns 59.
- 1974-80 Brewer and longtime bench and pitching coach Bill Castro, who turns 60.