BREWERS 101

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was informed on Tuesday that he will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joining Melvin as part of the 2012 class will be Rusty Staub, Rheal Cormier and members of the 2011 Team Canada Senior National Squad. In other words, if it were a final table at the World Series of Poker, it would be considered a considered a high-stakes poker game.

Melvin is one of five Canadian natives who have gone on to become general managers of a Major League Baseball team. Melvin who is a native of Chatham, Ontario will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame which is located in St. Mary's, Ontario on Saturday, June 23.

Upon learning of his induction Doug Melvin was quoted as saying,

I am surprised and excited and honored to hear the news of my induction, and I hope that my induction continues to bring awareness to those who aspire a front office career in our great game. Two Hall-of-Famers set high standards for Canadians in baseball. Fergie Jenkins inspired me as a player and Pat Gillick inspired me as a front office executive. Since my little league days in Chatham in the 1960's, baseball in Canada has grown rapidly with increased participation and awareness that Canada can compete with any other country.

Melvin won't be joining the Hall on the merits of his play on the field as he enjoyed a brief minor league pitching career from 1972-1978 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees. Melvin will be recognized for his many years of work done in various administrative positions within Major League Baseball. Melvin who has been the Milwaukee Brewers general manager since September 2002 started out as an Operations Assistant from 1983-1984 with the New York Yankees. Melvin would serve another year with the Yankees in 1985 as the teams Scouting Director. Melvin then moved to the Baltimore Orioles where he served as the Assistant to General Manager Roland Hemond in 1987 and later added the title of Director of Player Personnel to his duties with Baltimore from 1988 through 1993.

Melvin was awarded with his first General Manager job with the Texas Rangers in 1994. Melvin stayed in that position through the 2001 season and was noted for his big signing of superstar Alex Rodriguez to a record 10 year $250 million dollar contract and ending a 25 year playoff drought in Texas.

In Melvin's eight seasons in Milwaukee his teams have won 717 games with three winning seasons and two postseason appearances. Melvin made a huge trade in the middle of the 2008 season when he acquired ace pitcher CC Sabathia which was instrumental in the Brewers making the postseason for the first time in 25 seasons. Melvin is the eighth general manager in Milwaukee Brewer history and his contract currently runs through the 2012 season. Melvin was named Baseballs Executive of the Year in 2011 for helping put together the roster and coaching staff that led the Brewers to 96 wins and the National League Central Division crown.

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