On this day in 1974 Luis Vizcaino was born in Bani in the Dominican Republic. He was already almost 20 years old when the A's signed him as an amateur free agent in 1994, and played his first three major league seasons for Oakland between 1999-2001. The Brewers acquired the righthander during spring training in 2002 for reliever Jesus Pena, whose big league career was already over.
Vizcaino's three seasons as a Brewer are perfect examples of how unpredictable relievers can be. In 2002, his first season as a Brewer, Vizcaino appeared in 76 games and posted a 2.99 ERA. The next year he made 75 appearances, his walk and strikeout rates did not significantly change and he had a 6.39 ERA. He bounced back in 2004 to post a 3.75 ERA over 73 appearances.
Following the 2004 season Vizcaino was the lesser-known player involved in the deal that sent him and Scott Podsednik to Chicago for Carlos Lee. Over five seasons after leaving the Brewers he was a White Sox, Diamondback, Yankee, Rockie, Cub and Indian. He hasn't pitched the the majors since 2009, though.
Vizcaino turns 38 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd like to wish a happy birthday today to 1994-95 Brewer Duane Singleton. He turns 40.
Today is also the 39th anniversary of Warren Spahn's Hall of Fame induction in 1973. We covered that event in this space last year.