Gene Brabender
From BR Bullpen
Eugene Mathew Brabender
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5 1/2", Weight 225 lb.
- School University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Debut May 11, 1966
- Final Game September 26, 1970
- Born August 16, 1941 in Madison, WI USA
- Died December 27, 1996 in Madison, WI USA
[edit] Biographical Information
From Jim Bouton's Ball Four: (Jim) Pagliaroni says that one of the great things about Gene Brabender as a pitcher is that he's big enough to intimidate hitters with his size. "He looks like if you got a hit off him," Pag said. "he'd crush your spleen."
Gene Brabender also has the distinction of being the first native-born Wisconsinite to play for the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching for them in their inaugural season in Milwaukee. He grew up on a farm in Black Earth, WI, and continued to live in the area for many years after retiring from baseball. He worked in construction, mainly by himself. He died in a Madison, WI, hospital, after collapsing from a brain aneurysm.
Brabender was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He missed the 1964-1965 seasons due to military service. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 1965 Rule V Draft after spotting him as the star pitcher for his military post, Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1969)
- Won a World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 (he did not play in the World Series)
