Brewers 1982

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the 1982 season, in real-time, as it would have happpened.

Astros

Brewers Confirm 3 Sent to Houston

MILWAUKEE — On August 30, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired veteran pitcher Don Sutton from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster deal for three unnamed players. No reason was ever given for why the names of those players were not immediately released even though they were known by both clubs. We now know.

Frank DiPino is one of the three players heading to Houston for Don Sutton.

Brewers general manager Harry Dalton confirmed that the three heading to Houston are outfielder Kevin Bass and pitchers Frank DiPino and Mike Madden.

All three were players who were held in high regard in the organization. Bass, 23, was viewed as the future heir to right field, the one offensive weakness of this current team. He starred for Vancouver this season, hitting .315 with 17 homers, 65 RBI and 23 stolen bases. On the flip side, he didn’t get a hit in nine at bats for the Brewers and was eventually sent down in favor of Marshall Edwards.

Though the 25-year-old DiPino never played on the Brewers’ roster this season, he actually made two appearances last season, pitching 2 1/3 hittless innings. In his second season with Vancouver, he was solid though unspectacular, going 13-9 with a 4.03 ERA.

The 25-year-old Madden impressed this spring, but he struggled mightily in Vancouver. He went 3-8, entirely as a starter, with an ugly 7.03 ERA and 60 walks in 80 2/3 innings. It was actually his second disappointing season after cruising through two years of A ball.

Will Brewers fans regret giving up any of these players? Only time will tell. But if Sutton can take the team to the playoffs and beyond, these names will be forgotten.

Breaking: Brewers Trade for Don Sutton

MILWAUKEE — Immediately following tonight’s game, rumors started leaking out of Houston that the Milwaukee Brewers had acquired veteran starting pitcher Don Sutton from the Astros for three undisclosed players.

1982 Topps Don Sutton
The Brewers acquired Don Sutton from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster deal.

We now have confirmation from general manager Harry Dalton that the trade has been completed. Dalton says the deal was in the works for nearly a month, but the pieces finally came together today. Since the deal was made before rosters expand on September 1, Sutton would be eligible for the playoff roster.

That was the professional report. Now, the fan reaction…

OH MY GOD!!!! WE GOT DON SUTTON! HOLY CRAP, WE GOT DON SUTTON!!!!

Don Sutton has 274 career wins. Don Sutton. On the Milwaukee Brewers. This… is… awesome.

Sutton is having a terrific season with Houston, going 13-8 with a 3.00 ERA. The ERA may be a bit deflated in a league in which pitchers hit, but it’s obvious this is an enormous upgrade for the Brewers. This is how the Brewers rotation now stacks up, assuming none of the current members are involved in the deal:

Don Sutton (13-8, 3.00 ERA)
Pete Vuckovich (15-4, 3.22 ERA)
Mike Caldwell (12-11, 4.07 ERA)
Bob McClure (10-6, 4.13 ERA)
Moose Haas (9-8, 4.85 ERA)

And Doc Medich either heads to the bullpen or retires to be a doctor or something.

Not so bad, eh? This is a playoff rotation, my friends.

Let the speculation begin on the three players heading back. The Astros, at 62-69 and fifth place in the NL West, are in rebuilding mode. In all likelihood, they want prospects. That’s perfect for the Brewers since they would not want to shake up the current roster, considering how great the chemistry has been.

Brace yourself for top prospects heading the way of the Astros. I’m just hoping it’s not Randy Ready, Kevin Bass or Frank DiPino.