On this day in 1938 Roy Maxwell Alvis was born in Jasper, Texas. He was 20 when the Indians signed him as an amateur free agent in 1958 and 24 when he made his major league debut as a September callup in 1962.
Alvis played parts of eight seasons at third base for the Indians, batting .249/.305/.393 with 108 home runs, the most any Cleveland player hit in the '60's. He was an AL All Star in 1965 and 1967, and twice led the league in HBP.
Alvis had recently turned 32 when the Indians traded him to Milwaukee just days before the 1970 season, and he slotted right into the new Brewers' starting lineup. He was the third baseman and #7 hitter for the team's first home game, a 12-0 loss to the Angels on April 7, 1970, and went 0-for-3 with a walk in the game.
Unfortunately for Alvis, things didn't get much better from there. He hit .183/.217/.278 in 62 games as a Brewer before being released, ending his major league career.
Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for reminding me that Alvis turns 75 today. We'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2006 Brewer Jared Fernandez, who turns 41.
- Hall of Famer and 1957-60 Milwaukee Brave Red Schoendienst, who turns 90. We covered his birthday in this space last year.