Gene Brabender
From BR Bullpen
Eugene Mathew Brabender
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5½", 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 and 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)
