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On this day in 1964 Mike Fetters was born in Van Nuys, California. He went to high school in Hawaii and pitched in college for Pepperdine before the Angels made him the #27 overall pick in the 1986 draft and, three years later, Fetters made his MLB debut as a September callup in 1989.
Fetters pitched parts of three seasons for California before coming to the Brewers in a trade that sent reliever Chuck Crim to the Angels, and really came into his own during his time in Milwaukee. He appeared in 50 games for the 1992 Brewers and posted a 1.87 ERA, launching a six-year run in Milwaukee that saw him appear in 289 games. He became the Brewers' closer in 1994 and held the role through 1996, when he recorded 32 saves.
Following the 1997 season the Brewers dealt Fetters to Cleveland in the deal that brought pitcher Ben McDonald and outfielder Marquis Grissom to Milwaukee. Later that same day Fetters was traded to Oakland, setting the stage for the journeyman portion of his career: From 1998-2004 Fetters pitched in 285 games as a member of seven organizations.
As a Brewer, Fetters' 289 relief appearances are the third most in franchise history (and 188 more than active leader Brandon Kintzler). His 79 saves are tied for the fourth most as a Brewer, and his 2.99 career ERA is the third lowest among pitchers with at least 300 innings for Milwaukee.
Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for reminding me that Fetters turns 49 today.