Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Lyle Overbay

On this day in 1977 Lyle Overbay was born in Centralia, Washington. The Diamondbacks selected him in the 18th round (538th pick) of the 1999 draft and brought him to the big leagues for the first time in 2001, when he appeared in two games for the eventual World Series champions.

Overbay had played in just 98 major league games over three partial seasons when he joined the Brewers in December of 2003 as one of six players coming over from Arizona in the Richie Sexson deal. Overbay was immediately penciled into Sexson's spot as the Brewer first baseman and made a great first impression, batting .301/.385/.478 over 159 games and setting a franchise record with 53 doubles. Until 2012, Overbay was the only Brewer in franchise history ever to reach 50 doubles in a season. Aramis Ramirez joined him with 50 last season.

Overbay played two seasons as a Brewer and hit .289/.376/.464 over 317 games before being dealt to Toronto to make room for Prince Fielder to play first base in 2006. Among players who have appeared in at least 300 games as a Brewer, only Fielder (.390) and Jeff Cirillo (.383) had higher OBP's.

Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for reminding me that Overbay turns 36 today. We'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:

• 2004-05 Brewer Junior Spivey, who turns 38.
• 1999 Brewer Steve Falteisek, who turns 41.

Today is also the 26th anniversary of the Brewers signing Dave Nilsson as an amateur free agent in 1987. We covered that event in this space last year.