On this day in 1951 Jim Sundberg was born in Galesburg, Illinois. He went to college at the University of Iowa before the Rangers selected him with the second overall pick in the 1973 January draft. Slightly more than a year later he was a full time major leaguer in 1974.
Sundberg caught 1927 games games in his 16-year major league career, and most of them came as a Ranger. Many fans may forget that he was also a 1984 Brewer, joining the Crew following the 1983 season in a trade that sent Ned Yost to Texas.
Sundberg's single season in Milwaukee was an eventful one: He appeared in 110 games, hit .261/.332/.399 over 395 plate appearances and represented the Brewers on the AL All Star team. His OPS+ that season was 106, and he's one of just seven catchers in Brewer franchise history to finish a season over 100 after making at least 300 plate appearances.
Following the season the Brewers traded Sundberg again, sending him to Kansas City in a four team deal that netted them pitchers Danny Darwin and Tim Leary. Sundberg played five more seasons in the majors before calling it a career following the 1989 season.
Sundberg turns 61 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2002 Brewer Nelson Figueroa, who turns 38.
- 2002-03 Brewer Eric Young, who turns 45.
Today is also the third anniversary of Jason Kendall's 2000th (and 2001st) major league hit. We covered that event in this space last year.