#12 Jose Cardenal

Sometimes controversial but always colorful…..Known to miss a game with the Cubs in 1972 reportedly because crickets in his room had kept him awake at night.....A 18-year odyssey through the big leagues with 9 teams....one of the last Cuban players to freely leave the island to pursue a career in the U.S. before Fidel Castro put his foot down.... But he could play. He hit .275 lifetime with 138 homers and 1,913 hits. He was twice in the top 10 in batting average and over .300 twice; 8 times in the top 10 in stolen bases, twice each in hits and doubles….Defensively, he 3 times led his league in left field or center in assists, 2 times led in fielding percentage in left or center, 1 time led leftfielders in double plays..... Beginnings in the Giants organization….a traffic jam of quality Giant outfielders set Jose to the trade winds…..landed down the California coast in Anaheim his first regular employment….surprised skeptics with power and speed (329 Stolen Bases) coming from his diminutive size….An off season Cardenal washed up on the shore of Lake Erie at Cleveland put up fair numbers as in his earlier days….Toodle-oo-ed  to St. Louis for Vada Pinson….put together his best season to date with a healthy .293 BA….offensive numbers benefited by evolving from traditional lead off to more of the meat of the batting order….Did not duplicate his output in 1971 and shipped to Milwaukee (deal involving Ted Kubiak)….was able to mildly steer his number up in Brewtown…..his split season quietly resulted in a career best 80 RBIs….Milwaukee tenure was short lived and was placed south of Wisconsin border with little bears of Chicago…..So begins a strong relationship…..Meat of his career was spent with the Cubs….fixture in the Wrigley outfield 1972-1976 hitting a robust .303…..career became more subdued starting 1977 initiating a trail of multiple cities as a bench reserve…..Philadelphia, Metropolitans, and KC Royals lay in wait over next three years…..released by the last-place Mets in August while hitting .167 appeared done….Picked up by KC and doubled his batting average…..added to the the WS roster for his one and only time….didn't go out in a blaze of glory starting out 0 for 10, but gave a good parting shot, on Oct. 21, 1980 getting 2 hits in his final at bats in the deciding game 6….Royals lost but made the climax interesting.….Post playing was a coach on 3 Yankee World Series Championship teams (96, 98, 99)….did garner a few far flung MVP votes but never named to an all star team….Still perceived as a Cubbie.

#77 Ron Theobald

The General....named so by a coach who thought he looked like Napoleon Bonaparte ....Topps Rookie at 2^nd....small ball player with hustle and desire making up for shortcomings...took over for a slumping Ted Kubiak in 1971....drew a respectable .276 BA on an offensively challenged squad....solid season did not carry as a sophomore with a 56 point drop in BA and no stolen bases.....Final stats lines and playing time about identical for both his MLB seasons....bounced around organizations in the minors....Started in Cubs system, then moving to the Twins and Senators system....rookie at age 27....did not return for the 1973 edition of the Brewers....the organization feeling was that rookie Pedro Garcia was ready.....let go, spent his last professional year at AAA Phoenix.....failed to his raise BA and subsequently out of baseball....one team the Brewers....and was invited to closing of County Stadium....died on April 15, 2015 

#106 Milwaukee Brewers Team Card

Baseball’s return to the once home of the Braves…recent residency was Seattle….this team would have started in 1971 but at the insistence of political figures in KC set the wheels in motion for 1969 birth….The prematurity of the Pilots resulted in a bankrupt franchise and one year stand in a city and facilities that wasn’t quite ready…franchise was snapped up by car salesman Bud Selig a few days before 1970 season….it is said the moving trucks from AZ spring training paused in Utah to receive the call to go Northwest or Northeast…as all expansion franchises of the time struggled no matter what locale….Brewers would not exceed .500 until 1978…at that point buoyed by budding superstars, the newly formed free agent market, and shrewd trades the team entered a competitive age that remained up to the 1993 season….the high points of glory included the 1982 World Series berth and ALDS appearance a year prior….Upon losing a slew key cogs the Brewers decline to sub .500 for 12 consecutive season….since then hit and miss; a few playoff runs but no return to the World Series…best chance was taking Dodgers to 7 games in 2018….A new stadium in 2001 was vital for survival in Milwaukee…. But still suffers from being in a small market, so free agents available need to be chosen wisely....The face of the franchise is HOF Robin Yount whose motorcycle riding exploits endeared him to the blue collar locals....Paul Molitor, Yount’s sidekick for many years would be second although many indigenous Milwaukeeans felt betrayed by his free agent departure....Remains to seen how long Christian Yelich will stay but he might surpass all other Brewers....to date team has had only one no hit game; Juan Nieves 1987.

#118 Skip Lockwood

At the time Milwaukee property....Career record 57 wins....Lost 40 more games but was a inning eater in the Milwaukee Brewer’s early years.....Some unusual jukes in his career….Story goes wrote in a “1” in front of the 35K offer put out by the A’s organization; ballsy but the organization went with it….Pitched in High School but was made a position player in minors…..the Rule 5 caveat placed him in KC with the big club 1965….very little impact appearing 42 games mostly in late inning defensive work….only played in two entire games….wedged in 33 at bats and 4 singles……returned to minors for a couple of year with no appreciable forward progress…..made the metamorphosis from position player to the mound in 1968....taken in the 46^th round of the expansion draft by Seattle…..one of few people who can say played for the Pilots near the terminus of their existence….Followed fellows refugees into brewtown…..A four year starter completed 729 innings and a fair 3.75 ERA….a trade to the Angels gave Lockwood a taste of relief but limited ineffectiveness….Wound up with Oakland’s farm system for 1975….using two AAA team was able to resurface with the NY Mets…the late season call up resulted in his best MLB work….was able to parlay the progress into being the Met’s closer for most of four years….Tested free agent and was signed by his native Boston Red Sox….unfortunately both sides regretted the move, Red Sox claiming Lockwood hid prior injuries and Skip claiming underutilization….released in 1981 spring training although Lockwood was  ½ million dollars richer via Rouge Hose coffers… .Money not wasted after forgoing collegiate offers out of high school was able to get college degrees in off season….Changed teams in off season many times but only part of two trades….Wore corrective eyewear during career although sometimes this hidden from his employers

#153 Rick Auerbach

Light hitting shortstop applicant to the newly formed Brewers...a rarity can claim he was one of the few drafted by the Seattle Pilots organization....buoyed by unusually strong 1970 minor league batting numbers....hit .327 in single A and then jumped to AAA posting a .300 BA....on the Brewers 1971 opening day roster competed with incumbent Roberto Pena....struggled to hit eventually spending a couple of months back in the minors....Brewers might have better off to keep Pena as a regular...given the job outright most likely because Milwaukee liked his youth and speed (24 bases in 72).... hitting woes continued posting .218 in 1972....never enjoyed full time work again....a poor start 1973 and was quickly dispatched n a shortstop for shortstop exchange  Dodger prospect Tim Johnson...Remained in LA's  AAA club  for rest of the year....in a strange transaction is sold  back to the Brewers who return him back to L.A. for cash a month 1 ½ later....after the runaround Rick is a seldom used reserve on the Dodger bench....Auerbach’s journey then included farmhand with the Mets, another bizarre this time midseason trade to the Rangers (did not play for them), then Reds....finished his career 1981 with Seattle....Despite generally poor hitting, hit very well when 1974, 1978, and 1980 are combined....161 at bats, 54 hits, and 4 of career 9 home runs, tabulating to .335 clip....the remainder of his numbers  work out to a .204 BA

#161 Brock Davis

Long time farm hand who was able to secure two full seasons in the bigs....Odd career close to the majors....Played college at UCLA....as a 19 year old, first game in professional ball the first game for the second year Houston Colt .45s April 9 1963....struggled to stay above .200 but hit what would be his lone MLB home run....sent down to AA San Antonio  and by in large stayed at AA level until 1970...in the Cubs chain, was able to reach AAA Tacoma...earned a full season with the Cubs in 1971...worked as their #1 CF appearing in just over half the time  in committee scenario....hit .256 with no power....a trade to Brewers brought him into a glut of outfielder....taking the 6^th spot did account for himself with .312 BA in 154 at bats....plate numbers weren’t enough to hold a job...too bad could have responded well to new DH rule....still played in minors twice changing teams in “unknown” transaction....oddly enough finished career in 1975 at AA San Antonio, his first minor league assignment 13 years earlier....MLB stats 543 at bats....a .260 BA one lone home run. 

#162 Brewers Rookie Stars

Jerry Bell, Darrell Porter, Bob Reynolds Trio of mixed results the most notable was Darryl Porter....all played up to the 1975 season....Bob Reynolds...a bit of a rambler...having been an Expo expansion pick and taking the field in one game during the inaugural year....then traveling to St Louis (traded for Mike Torres, a great deal for the Spo’s) in 1970....next season continues nomadic existence splitting time between Milwaukee, Cardinals, and both their respective AAA clubs....Reynolds never plays again in Brewtown and is traded to Baltimore just before the dawn of the 1972 year....Mostly in minors but set a place for himself in Oriole Bullpen 1973....put together two solid efforts....ERAs of 1.95 and 2.73 in successive years...roughed up in 1975....continued his rolling stone way by toiling for three teams with a composite 5.19 ERA...stayed in minor league baseball off and on through 1979 season....Jerry Bell was exclusive property of Brewers....drew favorable notices with a 5-1 W-L record after being called up by the Brew Crew in 1972...took a spot in the starting rotation 1973 going 9-9....1974 started nice with a win and 2.57 ERA in 5 games....last appearance on the mound in May signifies arm trouble.....Darrell Porter...was youngest player in AL 1971..... makes his mark in 1973....a .254 mark with 16 home runs finishing 3^rd in ROY....turned out that subsequent Brewer campaigns fell somewhat  short of this standard...jettisoned after hitting .208 in 1976....acquired by KC representing a return to his home state....rejuvenated...in 4 years, 3 named to 3 all star games and garnered some MVP consideration...had career best season 1979 putting up 20 HR, 112 RBI and .291 numbers...a sizeable decline in 1980 with a stint in rehab and Porter took to free agency....much notoriety but his Cardinal numbers were not that different from his Brewer days...what was significant was MVP awards in NLCS and WS circa 1982....his WS .286 was solid but Milwaukee’s Robin Yount’s .412 may been more deserving....winner goes the spoils....Made him a celeb of sort and disclosed years of substance abuse in a 1984 book....playing time dwindled after 1984....released by the Cards prior to 1985....signed by Texas for part time work some catching some DH-ing....put a decent OPS of .890 in 1986...returned to free agency and signed again by Rangers...finish in 1987....despite his public disclosure of substance abuse was found dead in 2002, cocaine in blood stream....tragic and the mysterious scenario is not full known to this day. 

#197 Johnny Briggs

All star side burns….a journeyman career….primarily a two team man with the second division teams Phillies and Brewers….had near equal at bats and BA for both franchises….Briggs tenure at Philly was longer initially starting in 1964….a bit player on the Collapse Kids team…Gradually gained playing time over several year achieving near regular status…Philly high point were .282 and .270  BA in 1966 and 1970 respectively….a poor start in 1971 led to trade to Brewers April 22^nd, 1971….responded well to the change in scenery showing power not seen at Connie Mack Stadium….popped 21 homers that year and repeated that number in 1972 the start to 80 dingers for the Brew Crew….two more years in Milwaukee established himself as a regular in the Brewer outfield…His last season acquired by the Twins…split time at first base and outfield….at conclusion of 1975 play asked to be released to join the Japanese league….possibly motivated by the Twins successful experiment to move Rod Carew to 1^st base.

#255 Jim Lonborg

Essentially two careers….a rapid rise to stardom then demotion and tapered comeback….the centerpiece of the 1967 revival of the Boston Red Sox….Odyssey starts in 1965 and makes Red Sox roster…that year’s edition lost 100 games and he 17, but his presence represented youth coming out of the shadows of Ted Williams….improved to 10-10 in 1966…Jim and his surprising Bosox team jumped out of gate in 1967 to take the AL crown…earned 22 wins and Cy Young…held his own with a 2-1 WS record as the Red Sox fell to the Cardinals….all looked great until a ski accident in the off season…ligament damage surgery delayed 1968 start but faced further shoulder issues when pitching motion changed…end result was a frightful trial resulting in just 27 wins over the next four years including two demotions to the minors…his 10-7 record in 1971 did show promise…trade to Milwaukee for 1972 provided him with work and a higher pecking order in the rotation…responded with 14 wins…Nevertheless Milwaukee looking to steady their infield flipped Lonborg to Philly at the conclusion of the season….Lonborg stayed with Phillies for rest of career highlight being 17 and 18 win efforts in 1974 and 1976 respectively…playing days ended in 1979 but Lonborg showing a strong adherence to continuing education eventually becoming a dentist in New England after playing days were over…still involved with Red Sox chairities….fun fact childhood friend of pitcher/outfielder Mel Queen and married Mel’s sister.   

#281 Bill Parsons

The problem with players in expansion teams is not they can’t have good season or two, they just can’t do it consistently….in most cases….Bill's arm troubles are to blame during 1973 after two successive 13 win seasons….was #2  AL rookie of the year  voting  and named AL rookie pitcher of the year for 1971….that year his 13-17 mark was offset by a sparkling 3.20 ERA….could have sued the Brewers for non support…7^th round armature draft pick in 1968 by the Seattle Pilots…1972 won 13 games again....1973 was 3-6 with 6.79 ERA but somehow stayed with Milwaukee…demoted to Brewer AAA farm club in Sacremento in 1974 then traded to Oakland AAA club…his 5.05 ERA was high but playing with Sacremento was in a converted football stadium ….the team ERA mark was 6.70 so it could be called a Pyrrhic victory….resurfaced briefly with Oakland’s big club….another go round in AAA 1975 sputtered out.

#321 Joe Lahoud

A power-first slugger who got caught in the numbers game in Boston’s deep outfield....didn’t help that Batting Average was well below par especially give the All Star quality Sox outfield at the time...fair to good OPS based on his ability to gather base on balls....New England born to Lebanese parents.... had clubhouse conflicts with Billy Coniglario who ironically was traded with Joe to the Brewers...Solomon-esque decision making by the Rouge stockings...his .205 BA with Red Sox did not improve greatly in Beer City...in two season hit .224....best season far and away took place in 1974 after being traded to the Angels...offensively starved at the time, Joe hit .271 with 14 home runs, and 44 RBIs....returned to sub .200 ways in 1975 and then rode the bench for Texas and Kansas City up to 1978...Showed his batting eye in ALCS drawing 2 walks in 3 plate appearances....hit first home run against Denny McClain....next three home runs were hit in one game against the Twin 6-11-69, a career highlight....had a career .290 BA in minor versus .223 at the MLB level.

#359 Don Pavletich

Pronounce pav-LET-ic....A Milwaukee native, reserve backstop by trade, sounds a bit one Bob Uecker....acquired for 1972 to help out his hometown team... except he didn’t play in Brewcity.....Cincinnati debut in 50’s resulted in only  one at bat....started getting MLB time 1962......In his prime Don was one of the better reserves catchers in the NL....put together .300 BA over two seasons backing up Johnny Edwards 1965-66 as a member of the Reds...rest of his time was more inconsistent....barely played during his two year in Red Sox uniform circa 1970-71....given his career, it would have interesting if he ever would have been given a regular working schedule.

#376 Andy Kosco

Product of Youngstown Ohio and Youngstown State...well traveled....signed by Detroit for 45K in 1959.....knocked around their system for a few years, nothing impressive....released by the Tigers and picked up by the Twins organization...then proceeded to win the Northern League Triple Crown 1964....Next year bypassed upper A ball and AA in a huge promotion....proceeded to lead the PCL in doubles and RBI while hitting .324....Made Minnesota’s roster in 1966 but played very little, buried by the Twins outfield depth....playing time came with joining the Yankees and Dodgers....hit 19 home runs in LA in 1969....gradually ousted as Dodger went with youth 1970....Trade to Brewers started a rent a player career path....stints in California, Boston, and then Cincinnati in two years time....was an excellent bench player for the 1973 version of the Big Red Machine....got in 3 hits in 10 at bats in playoff against the Mets....let go in 1974 over ten years later from his first release by the Tigers.

#386 Jim Colborn

Achieved a first within the Brewer franchise whose accomplishment is more significant every year...first Milwaukee pitcher to win 20 games in 1973....since then only twice have others achieved the same mark...started with the Cubs...used very little...thrown in as an add on in trade with the Brewers...scored big dividends exceeding expectation by going 7-7 in 1972...spearheaded the pitching  staff with a 20-7 record on a Milwaukee squad that improved by 9 games....following 3 seasons Colborn returned to earth, averaging 10 wins per season....found short lived rejuvenation with Kansas City 1977....won 18 as the Royals cruised to their second straight AL west title...added a no hitter to boot...did not pitch in playoff despite record....bottom fell the following year...split season with Royals and fledgling Seattle Mariners....won 4 and lost 12...Stayed in baseball in multiple roles...most overseas managing in Australia and scouting Asian countries.  

#391 Ken Sanders

AL fireman of year 1971....the pinnacle peak of up and down career....led AL in games, games finished, and saves...Milwaukee years were an island of stability and minor stardom in a sea of vagabond-ish fate....Started with KC A’s...first full year was strange, drafted by Red Sox and then returned mid-season to KC....appeared in 62 games, good for 6^th in AL...then returned to A’s minor league system for three years, surprising given the increased demand for pitching due to expansion...Big break came in 1970 as he was added as a throw in a trade to the Pilots (not yet Brewers)....Still started in AAA but was very effective in the PCL and earned a call up...not missing a beat, established himself as the top closer....After the 1971 season, success was more elusive, but still was leading Brewer fireman in 1972....An offseason trade to Phillies lasted all but a month (did not stop Topps from put him in an Airbrushed Phillies cap for 1973)....shuffled to Twins and washed out...put up on waivers mid season and picked up by the Indians...salvaged the season with the Tribe....reencountered problems similar to the year before in 1974, a poor start, released, picked up (by the Mets) with better results...was able to stick around, putting in stints in California, New York (Mets), and Kansas City ending in 1976....lives in Milwaukee and worked in real estate....his 77 finished games in a season is presently the 4th best all time mark, next to Mike Marshall twice, and Billy Koch. 

#393 Curt Motton

Career reserve with a pinch hitting niche....hit well in the minors first in Cubs farm system then in Baltimore’s... made it into the big club in 1967....most prolific season was 1968 appearing in 85 games....hit 8 home runs but failed to break .200 with a .199 mark....came back with an outstanding part time 1969.....hit .303 in 89 at bats, winning the heart of manager Earl Weaver...never met up with the same success....hit .227 in 1970 then failed to reach .200 for rest of his career....his Milwaukee stint represents a short one year detour from the Baltimore city limits....also played for Angels that year...returned to Orioles for last two seasons of 1973 and 1974....passed away in 2010

#402 Bob Heise

Reserve infielder never holding one position...well traveled with 7 teams over 11 seasons...light hitter in the Duane Kupier mode; one home run in a 1000+ at bats....last name pronounced Hi-see like the kid’s drink......Started with Mets, most of his work came in travels to San Francisco and Milwaukee, ….Did short stints with Cards, Red Sox, Angels and Royals…. at his best was 1972 when he hit in .266 in over 271 at bats…..nearly twenty points better than his career .247 mark....played 2^nd, 3^rd, and shortstop....able to keep a roster spot up to the 1977 season with KC…. after baseball worked in law enforcement…has battled Cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

#421 Ellie Rodriguez

Run of the mill at best catcher...good defensively, strong arm....mixed results offensively....despite this was a two time All Star...beneficiary of expansion and the need to fill the squad with reps from all teams...starting with as the KC Royal’s first ever representative in 1969...not so much a starter with the first year Royals but a platooner with Buck Martinez.....stumbled in 1970 and gave way to the "play anywhere" Ed Kirkpatric....Trade to Brewers for 1971 did not result in increased returns....Staged a major comeback in 1972 raising BA by 75 points and getting his second All Star nomination....was the best hitter among Brewer regulars....came down to earth in 1973 lost time to youngster Darryl Porter.…acquired by California 1974….remained in top spot for essentially two years…for lack of a suitable replacement….traded cross town to Dodgers for 1976 to where his catching rank dropped to #3…Released at the end of the season….eventually worked the Mexican League circuit off and on...born Puerto Rico but grew up New York City.

#458 Aurelio Monteagudo

Long time vagabond pitcher…Cuban born resided in Venusalsla and later Mexico….started career in 1961 in KC A’s system….MLB debut in 1963….Had fair stats for A’s minor league system but could not stay in bigs…..but stayed with club for 6 seasons …..early 1966 starting by being sold to the Houston Astros, Aurelio would change teams 12 times….  Aurelio had play two years in the minors before getting work in his last two big league squads, 1970 Royals and 1973 Angels…..Never played for Brewers, spent 1972 in AAA Hawaii as Padre reclamation project.... had to play 7 years from his first game to getting first major league win…only two more would follow for a career 3-7 win loss….most innings pitched in a season 31…..passed away in 1990

#481 Billy Conigliaro

No surprise here....a legacy Red Sox fraternity by being brother and teammate to icon Tony Conigliaro....Unusual  and short career with times of great promise and a mysterious drop off.......worked way up farm system....had a tremendous fall call up in 1969 hitting 4 home runs with slugging pct. well above league average....High hopes for 1970...did not disappoint hit 18 home runs and drove in 58 with solid .270 BA....took over left field, allowing Yaz to take 1^st....change came in 1971....put in Centerfield and brother Tony was traded to Angels....strange season occurred, hit .262 and was 7^th AL doubles with 26...but only had 33 RBI’s...Traded to Brewers where he faultered in 1972...playing time was cut in half and BA dropped to .230....purchased by Oakland A’s in off season, mostly relegated to the bench...finished with 0 HR’s, 13 RBI’s, and .200 BA....balked at going to minors and retired from baseball.