On this day in 1996 the Brewers made a trade in the final hours before the postseason roster deadline, sending veteran third baseman Kevin Seitzer to the Indians. Seitzer had played in 539 games over five seasons in Milwaukee and was a career .300 hitter as a Brewer, and his hot streak (he hit .386/.480/.542 in 22 September games) helped propel the Indians to a 99 win season and playoff berth.
The Brewers got the better of the deal, though, as they received 27-year-old outfielder Jeromy Burnitz. He finished the 1996 season with the Crew and played five more full years in Milwaukee, hitting .258/.362/.508 with 165 home runs and making the 1999 All Star team before eventually being traded to the Mets in 2002.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Nashville Sound Caleb Gindl, who turns 24.
- 1999 Brewer Hideo Nomo, who turns 44.
- 1983-84 Brewer Tom Candiotti, who turns 55.
Today is also the fourth anniversary of CC Sabathia's near no-hitter against the Pirates in 2008. We covered that event in this space last year.