Ted Savage, who played in the very first Milwaukee Brewers game on April 7, 1970, passed away on January 12 at the age of 86.
Savage played nine seasons in the majors with eight different teams, including a year-plus stint with the Brewers. An outfielder, Savage had a .233 career batting average with 34 HR and 163 RBI in 642 games in the majors.
Here are 10 stats you may not know about Savage and his career.
He is one of two Brewers to have two triples and a HR in a game
One: Savage is one of only two Brewers in team history to have two triples and a home run in the same game. Savage did it in the second game of a doubleheader against the Oakland A’s on September 15, 1970. In the game he was three-for-four, with two triples, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI. The other Brewer to accomplish this feat is Hernan Perez who did it in 2017. It has been accomplished 71 times in MLB history since 1901.
Two: Savage played 128 games with the Brewers, the most with any team in his career. He played 114 games with the Crew in 1970 and 14 the following season. He played 127 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in his rookie season in 1962.
Three: Savage had six three-hit games for the Brewers in 1970 which tied for second most on the team.
Ted Savage pinch-hit in the very first Milwaukee Brewers game
Four: He played in the very first Milwaukee Brewers game on April 7, 1970, at County Stadium. He pinch-hit in the fifth inning, hitting a pop-up to the third baseman. The Brewers lost that game 12-0 in their debut as the Brewers.
Five: The 1970 season with the Brewers was Savage’s best season in the majors. He hit .279 with 12 HR and 50 RBI. The 12 homers with fourth on the team as were his 50 RBI. His .279 average was second on the team. His average, HRs and RBIs were all career-highs for Savage.
Six: In that 1970 season with the Brew Crew, Savage played 33 games in left field, 22 in center field, and 34 in right field. He pinch-hit in 44 games.
Seven: In the first 14 games that Savage played for the Brewers in 1970 the Brewers lost each game.
Eight: Savage came to the Brewers on April 5, 1970, when his contract was purchased from the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded from the Brewers to Kansas City the following year on May 11, 1971.
Nine: Savage played his last game in the majors on July 3, 1971, with the Royals at age 34-132 days. He went one-for-two in the game.
Ted Savage played for each of the five N.L. Central teams
Ten: Ted Savage’s Wikipedia page notes that he is one of two players to have played for each of the current five teams in the National League Central Division teams (Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds and Pirates). The other is Cesar Izturis.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Statsontapp and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content.
