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On this day in 1973 Mike Cameron was born in La Grange, Georgia. The White Sox drafted him in the 18th round in 1991 and he made his major league debut with them in 1995, kicking off a 17-year major league career.
Cameron was a former All Star, three-time Gold Glover and a former member of the White Sox, Reds, Mariners, Mets and Padres when the Brewers signed him as a free agent in January of 2008. Cameron missed most of the first month of that season while serving a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, but bounced back to hit .243/.331/.477 in 120 games as the Brewers made their first playoff appearance since 1982.
All told, Cameron hit .247/.337/.464 with 49 home runs over two seasons as a Brewer with plus defense in center field. Following the 2009 season he left for Boston as a free agent, where he spent parts of two seasons. He was in camp with the Nationals last spring before retiring in February.
Cameron turns 40 today. With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2012 Helena Brewer Michael Turay, who turns 23.
- 2012 Helena Brewer Taylor Wall, who turns 23.
- Matt LaPorta, the Brewers' first round pick in the 2007 draft (#7 overall), who turns 28.
- 2006 Brewer Geremi Gonzalez, who would have turned 38.
- 1993 Brewer Matt Maysey, who turns 46.
- 1983-86 Brewer Randy Ready, who turns 53.
- 1973 Brewer Wilbur Howard, who turns 64.
- Port Washington, Wisconsin native, UW-Madison alum and 1957-61 Milwaukee Brave John DeMerit, who turns 77.
Today is also the fourth anniversary of reliever Trevor Hoffman signing with the Brewers as a free agent in 2009. We covered that event in this space last year.