On this day in 1961 Brad Komminsk was born in Lima, OH. He was 18 when the Braves made him the #4 overall pick in the 1979 draft, and unfortunately became a textbook example of the fact that top draft picks don't always work out.
Komminsk made the Braves as a 22-year-old outfielder in 1983, appearing in 19 games as a 22-year-old. He got more playing time over the next couple of seasons but his bat never came along, as he hit just .216/.296/.322 over 201 games between 1984-86. The Braves traded him to the Brewers following the season but the change of scenery didn't fix anything for him, as he hit .067/.125/.067 and appeared in just seven games as a Brewer.
Komminsk went on to appear in games for four more major league teams over the years that followed, but retired as a .218/.301/.336 hitter. He's been a hitting coach in the Orioles organization for the last few seasons.
Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for informing me that Komminsk turns 52 today. We'd also like to wish a happy birthday to 1979 Brewer Ray Fosse, who turns 66. We covered his birthday in this space two years ago.
Today is also the 37th anniversary of the Brewers releasing longtime major league outfielder Vada Pinson, ending his major league career. We covered that event in this space last year.