Article: Throwback: Matt Mieske had His Moments

[reillymcshane]

Not every Brewer was great (or even good), but that doesn't mean players can’t make their mark with the team. Outfielder Matt Mieske was such a player - a guy who was never a difference maker - but had his share of memorable moments in his time with the organization. 

Matthew Todd Mieske was born in Michigan in 1968. He became one of the state's most heralded players, earning all-state honors in high school three times before going on to Western Michigan, graduating as a three-time All-American with 11 school records.

Mieske's college success led him to be selected by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round of the 1990 draft. A right-handed hitting outfielder, Mieske was not the most athletic player, but he had a good swing that led to early success, including .340 and .342 batting averages in his first two years at A ball. 

 

Then, just before the 1992 season, the Padres sent Mieske, Ricky Bones and Jose Valentin to the Brewers for disgruntled infielder Gary Sheffield as well as minor leaguer Geoff Kellogg. 

Mieske got a cup of coffee in 1993, then established himself as a semi-regular with the Brewers in 1994. He spent the next four seasons with Milwaukee, essentially serving as an adequate, if uninspiring, right field option on a series of poor Brewer teams. He hit double figure home runs each year from 1994-1996, and produced an OPS ranging from .753 to .794. His best year at the plate was 1996, when he hit 14 HR and had a .278 BA.

Mieske was a classic replacement level player (his career bWAR is 0.1) whose value came against left-handed pitchers (he had a .913 OPS against them in his career). His problem came when he was forced to face righties, as his .638 OPS attests. He was also a tweener; a guy who played corner OF, but didn't quite hit enough to justify claiming the spot full time.

After a poor 1997 campaign, the Brewers allowed Mieske to become a free agent. He went on to spend parts of three more years in the big leagues, bouncing between three different teams. 

After retiring following the 2000 season, Mieske returned to his home state of Michigan, settling in Saginaw, where he became a Certified Financial Planner.

Matt Mieske is not the sexiest player in Brewer history - not even one that makes you think of worthy of a retrospective. But the man had his moments. He fought the odds of being a 17th round pick to play parts of eight seasons in the majors. Fans liked his hard working, Midwestern approach. (Gotta love those gritty battlers without a lot of talent). 

Mieske hit 41 HR in his four full seasons in Milwaukee, and had a .753 OPS. If the Brewers had utilized him a little less (meaning fewer at-bats against right-handers), he would have posted some better statistics. Unfortunately for Mieske, he will probably be remembered mostly for being part of the ill-fated Sheffield trade.

 

Please share your memories of former Brewer outfielder Matt Mieske.

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