On this day in 1976 Keith Ginter was born in Norwalk, California. He went to college at Texas Tech before the Astros selected him in the tenth round (302nd overall pick) of the 1998 draft. Two years later he made his major league debut as a September callup.
Ginter had played just 13 major league games over three seasons with the Astros when an August, 2002 trade sent Mark Loretta to Houston and brought him to Milwaukee. Over two full seasons as a Brewer Ginter appeared in 240 games, mostly at second and third base. He hit .257/.344/.448 with 34 home runs for Milwaukee.
Following the 2004 season the Brewers traded Ginter to Oakland in a deal that brought outfielder Nelson Cruz to Milwaukee. 2005 was Ginter's last year in the majors, but he continued playing in the minors through the 2010 season.
Ginter turns 36 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2000 Brewer Juan Acevedo, who turns 42.
- 1978-82 Brewer Larry Hisle, who turns 65. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
- 1976 Brewer Jimmy Rosario, who turns 68.
- Seattle Pilot John Donaldson, who turns 69.