On this day in 1998 the Brewers and Padres played a wild game at County Stadium. The two teams were tied at eight after the fourth inning and tied at ten after nine, sending the contest to extras. The Padres eventually won 13-11 in ten innings on Jim Leyritz's two run double.
A few innings earlier, though, first baseman Bob Hamelin made an interesting bit of history. He pinch hit for catcher Mike Matheny and homered off Padres reliever Donne Wall to open the eighth and tie the game at nine. It was his fourth pinch hit home run as a Brewer, setting a new franchise record.
To this day Hamelin remains the only Brewer ever to hit four pinch hit home runs in a season. In fact, he's one of just two Brewers ever to hit four pinch hit homers in a career: Bill Hall would later become the second.
1998 was Hamelin's final season in the majors. He's currently a scout in the Red Sox organization.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Helena Brewer Raul Mondesi Jr., who turns 20.
- AZL Brewer Eduard Reyes, who turns 22.
- 2010-11 Brewer Zach Braddock, who turns 25.
- 2008-11 Brewer Mark DiFelice, who turns 36.
- 2000-02 Brewer Raul Casanova, who turns 40.
- 1997 Brewer Julio Franco, who turns 54.
- 1993 Brewer Mike Boddicker, who turns 55.
- Seattle Pilot and 1970-71 Brewer John Morris, who turns 71. Morris pitched in relief in the Brewers' first game in 1970.
Today is also the 16th anniversary of a 1996 trade that sent shortstop Pat Listach and reliever Graeme Lloyd to the Yankees in exchange for outfielder Gerald Williams. We covered that event in this space last year.