On this day in 2000 the Brewers pulled off a minor trade, sending AA pitcher Doug Johnston to the Cubs for left handed reliever Ray King. King was 26 years old and a veteran of just one major league season, having appeared in ten games for the Cubs in 1999.
With the Brewers, however, King quickly found a niche as a situational lefty. He posted a 1.26 ERA while appearing in 36 games in 2000, and appeared in 158 more games over the next two seasons. His 82 games pitched in relief in 2001 are still the second most in franchise history, behind only Ken Sanders' 83 in 1971.
The Brewers traded King to the Braves following the 2002 season, but he eventually returned to pitch in 12 more games late in the year in 2007. King's 206 career relief appearances are the second most for a left handed Brewer, behind only Dan Plesac.
The Brewers certainly got the best of this trade. Former ninth round pick Doug Johnston, the pitcher they sent to Chicago for King, pitched just one season in AA for the Cubs before his affiliated career came to an end. He last pitched for the independent Sioux City Explorers in 2003.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Jacob Barnes, who turns 22.
- 2010 Brewer Gregg Zaun, who turns 41.
- 1996-98 and 2001 Brewer Jesse Levis, who turns 44.
- 1987-89 Brewer Jay Aldrich, who turns 51.
- 1978 Brewer Mark Bomback, who turns 59.
- 1972-73 Brewer Joe Lahoud, who turns 65.
Today is also the 19th anniversary of Graeme Lloyd and Dave Nilsson becoming the first all-Australian battery in major league history. We covered that event in this space last year.