Nine years removed from their birth in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots, the Brewers seemed poised for, at best, mediocrity in 1978. In each year of their existence through 1977, they had finished below .500, lost 95 or more games 4 times, and finished last or second-to-last in their divsion 8 times. 1977's 67-95 finish was particularly galling, as the team felt the talent was there to beging taking the next steps to competitiveness. Well, as it turned out, 1978 was a bit different than might have been expected. Off-season acquisitions, the maturation of young talent and key veterans contributing good years led to a record of 93-69, and a third place finish, 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees. The Brewers played well all year long (including the season-opening series where they swept the Orioles in three games by a combined score of 40-11). They were 13 games over .500 at the break and in second place, just 2 1/2 games behind Boston. Had they not lost 15 of 20 in late July and early August, they would have finished even better than they did. They weren't eliminated until the final week of the season, and things looked promising heading into 1979, when they would wind up finishing second to the Orioles. They would reach the post-season for the first time in the strike-shortened 1981 season, and would win their first pennant in 1982. Because of his team's performance in 1978, owner Bud Selig was named baseball's Executive of the Year.
Not much was brewing - get it? - on the farm at the time. Future Cleveland closer Doug Jones was at Newark and future manager Ned Yost was at Spokane.
George Bamberger would lead the Brewers to their first successful season in 1978. He was aided in this quest by pitching coach Cal McLish, hitting coach Harvey Kuenn and bullpen coach Larry Haney, in addition to Frank Howard at 1st and Buck Rodgers at 3rd.
Opening Day Roster:
Jerry Augustine, SP:
Jerry entered 1978 as Milwaukee's #1 starter. He got the job done opening day, getting the win in 8.1 innings of work in the team's 11-3 blasting of Baltimore. By early June, he wasn't performing as well as hoped and was relegated to the pen for a week or so before reclaming his spot in the rotation. At the end of the year, his record stood at 13-12, but he had an ERA of 4.54 and an upside-down K to BB ratio. For the next 5 seasons, including the pennant-winner of 1982, he was a regular out of the Brewers' pen.
Moose Haas, SP:
As a rookie in 1977 Haas had gone 10-12, and was expected to blossom into a front-line starter in 1978. Complete game victories in his first two starts, including a Brewer-record 14 strikeouts against the Yankees on April 12th, seemed to confirm the expectation. However, in Boston on April 20, he suffered a partial tear of a muscle near his right (throwing) elbow and was dispatched to the DL. He returned on June 21, but two starts was all it took to prove he had not recovered sufficiently. He went back to the DL on June 27, and returned on September 15, making a lone relief appearance on October 1st.
Lary Sorensen, SP:
In only his second year, Lary came into his own in 1978. An 18-12 record, 17 complete games, and an appearance in the All Star Game in San Diego signaled the arrival of a new pitching star. Sadly, it didn't last. After just 2 more years in Milwaukee, he drifted across the rosters of 7 teams over the next 8 seasons, never again showing the form he found with the Brewers in the late 1970s.
Randy Stein, SP:
Randy entered 1978 never having thrown a major league pitch, yet penciled in as Milwaukee's tentative 4th starter. He debuted on April 17 at Fenway and went 0.2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. His remaining 30 appearances were all in relief. His assignment to the pen opened up a spot in the rotation for Mike Caldwell.
Mike Caldwell, RP:
Relegated largely to bullpen work with the Padres, Giants and Reds from 1971 through 1977, Mike started out 1978 in the Brewers' pen. But after just 3 relief appearances, he made a start on April 22, and never looked back. He started out 13-5, and from July 7th to the end of the season won 14 of 18 starts. He finished 22-9 (the second Brewer to ever win 20 - Jim Colborn won 22 in 1973) with a 2.36 ERA. His 23 complete games were more than he had in his first 7 seasons combined. In all, he would win 91 games for the Brewers from 1978 through 1983, and was a key contributor to their 1982 pennant.
Bob McClure, RP:
Bob was in just the 4th year of his 18-year major league career in 1978. He formed the left-handed component of the Milwaukee bullpen's back-end platoon. He finished out 29 games and recorded 9 saves.
Bill Castro, RP:
1978 did not start out well for Bill. His arrival at spring training was delayed by injuries he suffered in an automobile accident in his native Mexico, and his performance after he did arrive did not impress. Despite this inauspicious start, he wound up putting in an outstanding campaign. On a team with essentially a platoon approach to closing, he was the go-to righty - in 42 relief appearances, he finished 35 games, earning a record of 5-4, with a 1.81 ERA and 8 saves.
Andy Replogle, RP:
Acquired from the Orioles just before the team broke camp, Andy made his major league debut on April 11. He began the season in the bullpen, but beginning in the second week of May he found himself a part of the rotation more or less to stay. In 18 starts and 14 relief appearances, he compiled a 9-5 record.
Eduardo Rodriguez, RP:
1978 was Ed's 6th season as a Milwaukee reliever and occasional starter. He arrived in camp 20 pounds lighter than in 1977, and for a time was considered a potential closer. However, 1978 wound up playing out more or less per the usual routine - he made 8 starts and 23 relief appearances, finishing with a 5-5 record and 2 saves. As the season wound down, he openly expressed his desire to be traded somewhere where his role would be more clearly defined. In February of 1979, his contract was sold to Kansas City where he worked out of the pen almost exclusively in his final major league season.
Buck Martinez, C:
Buck split the catching duties in 1978 with Charlie Moore. As they were both righties, it really wasn't a traditional platoon. Buck displayed less power, a couple more errors and a slightly worse caught-stealing percentage than his counterpart. He liked Milwaukee, but very much wanted to play someplace where could be the every-day catcher. Despite this, and despite a trade to Toronto for 1981, he was never a regular though he played another 8 years.
Sal Bando, IF:
Milwaukee's marquee free agent signing of 1977 was grateful that the calendar had turned to 1978. All though 1977, he felt as if he were on display, and as a result he didn't manage to put up numbers he thought would make the Brewers' $1.5 million investment seem justified. In 1978, as the team's starting third baseman, his hitting improved by 35 points and he cut his strikeouts by more than a third.
Andy Etchebarren, C:
Acquired from the Angels in December, 1977, the long-time Oriole got into 4 games as a reserve catcher before going on the DL on May 18 due to bone chips in his elbow. He came off the DL September 1, but didn't see any other action. Andy's final major league appearance came as a defensive replacement for Buck Martinez on April 20 at Fenway.
Charlie Moore, C:
The other half of the Milwaukee catching tandem in 1978, Charlie showed more power than his counterpart (5 HR, 31 RBI), a slightly better glove and had a better caught-stealing percentage. Unlike Martinez, Moore stayed in Milwaukee for many years, and was the starting catcher on the 1982 pennant-winning team.
Cecil Cooper, IF:
Coming off a season in which he set the franchise record with 193 hits, the Brewer first baseman was hitting over .300 when he cracked a bone in his right leg in a collision at home in Toronto on June 9. Sent to the DL, he wasn't able to return until July 21. From then on through the rest of the season, he split his time between first and DH. He still managed to hit .312, but because of his lack of playing time his hit total fell to 127.
Jim Gantner, IF:
In his first full major league campaign, Jim was used as an infield reserve, seeing action at all 4 positions, most frequently third and second.
Tim Johnson, IF:
In his 6th season with Milwaukee, Tim, once a semi-regular, saw action in only 3 games before being traded to Toronto for Tim Nordbrook on April 28.
Paul Molitor, IF:
The future Hall of Famer went north from spring training because Robin Yount was forced the start the season on the DL. He made his major league debut on April 7 starting at shortstop against the Orioles, and went 1-for-5 with an RBI. Paul held the SS job until Yount returned in early May, and thereafter was more or less a regular fixture at 2nd. A late season slump may have cost him AL Rookie of the Year honors. Injuries would slow him down over the next half-dozen years, and it took Milwaukee some time to figure out where to play him consistently, but it all worked out well in the end.
Lenn Sakata, IF:
The future Oriole spent April and most of May platooning at second with Don Money and then Paul Molitor. As May wore on and Molitor established himself there permanently after Robin Yount's return, Lenn was used less and less. He was sent down to Spokane on July 21 to accomodate Cecil Cooper's return from the DL. He was recalled in September, but didn't see any action before the year ended.
Don Money, IF:
Nominally a second baseman, the 10-year major league veteran played regularly but at a variety of positions in 1978. From April through early June (except when he had to sit for a couple weeks in April and May due to a pulled groin) he played a little third, a little short, some second and some DH. When Cecil Cooper went to the DL in early June, Don took over first base. When Cooper returned in late July, he went back to playing wherever he was needed for the remainder of the year. Despite this vagabond-like existence, he put up good numbers. He was on the All Star ballot as a second baseman, and was voted in as the starter by the fans.
Dick Davis, OF:
Davis, a second year player, doubled as an outfield reserve and alternate DH option during 1978, getting into 69 games in all. In late April, he started in place of Sixto Lezcano in right field when Lezcano sat with a sore shoulder, and in 3 games went 6-for-11.
Larry Hisle, OF:
Milwaukee's key free agent signing for 1978, Larry split left field duties with Ben Oglivie, played some center field, and was the team's most frequent DH. Despite feeling pressure to perform because of his off-season deal, he had an outstanding offensive campaign - 34 HRs, 115 RBI and .290 average. As a result, he received a nod as an All Star reserve. On September 24, the day after Lyman Bostock died, Larry came to the park to play but, grief stricken over the death of his friend from their days in Minnesota, asked for and was granted a couple days off.
Sixto Lezcano, OF:
As the Brewers' starting right fielder in 1978, Sixto batted .292 with 129 hits and 61 RBI. He was unable to play the field for 11 days in April after hurting his shoulder making a throw from the outfield. Through the first week of June, he had 14 assists from right, prompting Bamberger to call him the best right fielder in the league.
Ben Oglivie, OF:
Acquired in December of 1977 from Detroit for Jim Slaton, Ben played in 128 games in 1978, mixing outfield and DH duties. He put up a .303 average, with 18 HRs, and 72 RBI.
Gorman Thomas, OF:
After putting in two full seasons with the Brewers in 1975 and 1976, Gorman was relegated to Spokane for all of 1977 in an effort to find his bat. Traded by the Brewers to Texas in October to complete an earlier deal which had Ed Kirkpatrick go to Milwaukee, his contract was purchased back from the Rangers in February, and he spent 1978 as the Brewers' starting center fielder. He put up offensive numbers which would be typical of his career - 32 HRs, 86 RBI, but only a .246 average and 133 strikeouts.
Jim Wohlford, OF:
In the middle of a three-year stint with the Brewers, Jim was an outfield reserve and saw limited action at all three spots.
In-Season Moves:
Tim Nordbrook, IF:
Tim was acquired from the Blue Jays for Tim Johnson on April 28. In just his second game, on April 29, he collided with George Brett in a play at second in Kansas City. He suffered nerve damage to his left knee and was sent to the DL on May 3, where he remained for the rest of the season. (1978 Topps Update)
Robin Yount, IF:
Milwaukee experienced an uneasy spring training as Robin Yount, their young star at shortstop, openly questioned whether he really wanted to make a go of a baseball career or try his hand at professional golf. Luckily for the Brewers, and for baseball, he chose the former. Unfortunately, he had to start the year on the DL due to a sore left foot (on the plus side, this allowed Paul Molitor to come north). He returned on May 3, and still managed to put together his best season so far, hitting .293 with 9 HR, 71 RBI and 16 SB.
Bill Travers, SP:
Bill had to have elbow surgery in late December, and wasn't even able to begin throwing until well into spring training. The promsing young lefty started the season on the DL, and finally was returned to the rotation on May 3. Despite a high ERA, he was able to compile a 12-11 record, which included 3 complete game shutouts.
Dave May, OF:
Dave was purchased from the Rangers when Andy Etchebarren's roster spot opened up on May 18. His signing was a homecoming of sorts - from 1970 to 1974, he had been a regular in the Milwaukee outfield. In 1978, he saw action in 39 games as a reserve outfielder until being sold to the Pirates on September 13.
Tony Muser, IF:
Acquired from Baltimore in spring training, the veteran started the season in Spokane. He was recalled when Moose Haas went back on the DL on June 27. He got into 15 games, mostly at 1st, until being sent back to Spokane on August 11 when Willie Mueller was called up from Holyoke. He was recalled in September when rosters expanded. His final major league appearance came on October 1 in Oakland - he went 1 for 2 in the Brewers' 9-0 romp.
Willie Mueller, RP:
Willie was called up from AA Holyoke when Tony Muser was sent down to Spokane on August 11. He made his major league debut on the 12th, pitching 3.2 innings in relief of Mike Caldwell in Boston. He saw action in a total of 5 games in 1978, throwing 12.2 innings and posting a 1-0 record.
Larry Haney, C:
During spring training, it was assumed that either Haney or Andy Etchebarren would be assigned to the Brewers' coaching staff. Haney won that sweepstakes, and subsequently served as Milwaukee's bullpen coach until he was activated when rosters expanded in September. The veteran got into his final 4 major league games down the stretch. His last appearance was a start on October 1 in Oakland - he went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the Brewers' 9-0 win.
Ed Farmer, RP:
Between 1971 and 1983, Ed Farmer played for 8 different clubs. He had his greatest success as a closer with the White Sox from 1979-1981, which included a trip to the 1980 All Star Game. In 1978, he labored at Spokane until being called up by the Brewers in September. In 3 relief appearances spanning 11 innings, he earned a win and a save, and sported a tiny 0.82 ERA.
Mark Bomback, SP:
A September call-up, Mark made his major league debut starting at Seattle on the 12th - in two-thirds of an inning, he game up 3 runs on 4 hits. Mark had played 1971-1976 in the Boston system before being signed by the Brewers in 1977.
Jeff Yurak, OF:
After batting .321 with 21 HR at Holyoke, Jeff was called up in September. He saw action in five games, including September 15, his first major league game, and October 1, his last. In 6 plate appearances, he managed to draw a single walk.
Other 1978 Brewers Stuff:
County Stadium
201 South 46th St., Milwaukee, WI
Brewers' Coaches:
Frank Howard
Owner and Team President - Bud Selig
General Manager - Harry Dalton
Minor League Affiliates:
A (Short-Season): Newark Co-Pilots (NY-Penn League)
26-46, 5th of 5
Manager: Ken Richardson
Future Star: Doug Jones
A: Burlington Bees (Midwest League)
69-69, 1st of 4
Manager: Lee Sigman
Future Star: Dave LaPoint
AA: Holyoke Millers (Eastern League)
61-76, 5th of 6
Manager: George Farson
Future Star: Marshall Edwards
AAA: Spokane Indians (Pacific Coast League)
64-75, 4th of 5
Manager: John Felske
Future Star: Ned Yost
Summary of Roster Moves:
April 20 - Haas to DL (active roster to 24)
April 28 - Nordbrook from Toronto for Johnson
May 3 - Yount from DL, Nordbrook to DL
May 12 - Travers from DL (active roster to 25)
May 18 - Etchebarren to DL, May purchased from Rangers
June 9 - Cooper to DL (active roster to 24)
June 21 - Haas from DL (active roster to 25)
June 27 - Haas to DL, Muser from Spokane
July 21 - Cooper from DL, Sakata to Spokane
August 11 - Muser to Spokane, Mueller from Holyoke
September 1 - Etchebarren from DL
September 13 - May sold to Pirates
September 15 - Haas from DL
September Call-Ups: Sakata, Farmer, Yurak, Bomback, Muser
Cal McLish
Harvey Kuenn
Larry Haney
Buck Rodgers
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