Brewers Franchise Timeline

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Henry Aaron waves to the large crowd as the fans present him with a long standing ovation in season opening ceremonies, Friday, April 12, 1975 at Milwaukee County Stadium. (AP Photo/Paul Shane)
1970

• Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Milwaukee Brewers, Inc., an organization formed by Allan H. "Bud" Selig and Edmund Fitzgerald, the Seattle Pilots are acquired on April 1.....the team is renamed the "Milwaukee Brewers" as a tribute to the city's long association with the brewing industry and is to be managed by Dave Bristol.

• The Brewers acquire outfielder Russ Snyder and third baseman Max Alvis from Cleveland in exchange for outfielder Roy Foster, infielder Frank Coogins and cash in their first trade on April 4.

• The Brewers play their first game on April 7 as a member of the American League West before 37,237 fans at County Stadium.....Lew Krausse drops a 12-0 decision to Andy Messersmith and the California Angels.

• John O'Donoghue defeats the White Sox, 8-4, at Comiskey Park on April 11 for the team's first win.

• Bob Bolin fans 10 as the Brewers pick up their first home victory on May 6 over the Red Sox, 4-3.

• The 69-year-old Milt Mason, as "Bernie Brewer," goes into a trailer atop the stadium scoreboard in late June, vowing not to descend until the team draws a home crowd of 40,000, which occurs on August 16 vs. Cleveland.

• Tommy Harper becomes the first American League player to hit at least 30 HR and steal at least 30 bases during the same season (31hr/38sb).

1971

• Frank "Trader" Lane replaces Marvin Milkes as general manager.

• With the shift of the Washington franchise to Texas, the Brewers move to the American League East for the 1972 season.

1972

• Jim Wilson replaces Frank Lane as general manager in October.

1973

• Opening Day is delayed for four days after a 13-inch snowstorm.

• The Brewers crack the million mark in attendance for the first time with a total of 1,092,158 fans.

• Jim Colborn becomes the Brewers' first 20-game winner as he tosses a three-hitter against the Yankees in a 5-2 victory on September 26 at County Stadium.

1974

• 18-year-old Robin Yount becomes the Brewers' regular shortstop.

• The Royals' Steve Busby hurls a no-hitter on June 19, the first American League no-hitter ever pitched at County Stadium.

• Jim Baumer is appointed director of baseball operations, replacing Jim Wilson, who is named chief of the MLB Scouting Bureau.

1975

• Baseball's then all-time home run leader, Hank Aaron, returns to Milwaukee as a member of the Brewers.

• 48,160 fans salute Hank Aaron on "Welcome Home Henry Day" for the home opener on April 11 vs. Cleveland, a 6-2 victory.

• Milwaukee hosts the Major League All-Star Game on July 15 as 51,480 fans see the National League win, 6-3.

1976

• Hank Aaron hits his 755th and final home run on July 20 off California's Dick Drago in the seventh inning of a 6-2 victory at County Stadium.

• Mike Hegan hits for the cycle on September 3 at Detroit, becoming the first Brewer to accomplish the feat.

• Hank Aaron records an RBI-single off Detroit's Dave Roberts in his final Major League at-bat on October 3 at County Stadium.

1977

• Harry Dalton replaces Jim Baumer in the front office on November 20.

1978

• The Brewers unveil new pinstripe uniforms and a new team logo, the now famous "MB" ball-in-glove design.

• The Brewers produce their first winning season as they go 93-69 and finish in third place in the American League East.

• Don Money becomes the first Brewer voted into the starting lineup for the All-Star Game.

1979

• Gorman Thomas becomes the first Brewer to lead the American League in home runs as he produces 45.