Moose Haas – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bryan Edmund “Moose” Haas put together a solid 11-year run in Major League Baseball before calling it quits in 1987, just shy of his 32nd birthday. The righty from Baltimore really made his name with the Milwaukee Brewers, spending most of his career there and becoming a key part of the club during its best years.

Haas finished with a career record of 100 wins and 83 losses, sporting a 4.01 ERA. He made it to the 1982 World Series and once held the franchise strikeout record for over twenty years. His journey from a Maryland high school standout to the big leagues shows just how much grit and talent it takes to make it at baseball’s top level.

He started out dominating hitters in high school and wrapped things up with the Oakland Athletics. Haas’s story has its fair share of highs and lows. He struck out 14 Yankees in one game, led the American League in winning percentage, and battled through injuries that eventually cut his career a bit short.

Early Life and Background

Bryan Edmund Haas was born on April 22, 1956, in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents gave him a solid foundation in both baseball and everyday life.

His dad’s creative nickname stuck with him for life, and his high school success definitely got major league scouts interested.

Family and Childhood in Baltimore

Bryan’s parents, George Edmund “Bud” Haas and Dorothy M. (Hailey) Haas, raised him in Baltimore. His father worked as a Baltimore police officer, while his mother ran a florist shop in the city.

The Haas family had three kids. Bryan landed in the middle, with an older brother, George Michael Haas, and a younger sister, Dawn Renee Hass-Dauer.

Life in Baltimore meant growing up in a working-class household where practical skills mattered. His parents wanted him to have something to fall back on if baseball didn’t work out. His dad taught him locksmithing, just in case.

That kind of practical thinking stuck with Bryan. The family valued hard work and being prepared, which really helped him once he hit the pros.

Education and High School Years

Bryan went to Franklin High School in Reistertown, a Baltimore suburb. He was a standout, earning four varsity letters each in baseball and basketball.

On the baseball field, Bryan started as a pitcher for three years. He picked up all-county honors once and all-metro honors twice.

His senior year was special—he served as team captain and threw a 1-0 no-hitter with scouts watching.

Bryan also played sandlot ball for coach Sterling Fowble. Fowble had sent a bunch of players to the majors, including Hall of Famer Al Kaline and others like Dave Boswell and Jim Spencer.

People considered Bryan the best pitcher in Maryland during his high school days. That’s saying something.

Origin of the Nickname ‘Moose’

Bryan’s dad, Bud, started calling him “Moose” when he was just a baby. Bud figured his son would grow up “as big as a moose” because of his broad shoulders.

Turns out, Bryan didn’t get huge—he played in the majors at 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, which is pretty average for a pitcher.

Even though he wasn’t massive, the nickname stuck. Everyone in baseball called him “Moose,” and it became part of his identity.

Path to the Major Leagues

Bryan Edmund “Moose” Haas started chasing his pro baseball dream as an 18-year-old high school senior from Baltimore. The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in 1974, setting him up for a career that would last more than a decade.

Draft by Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers picked Moose Haas in the second round of the 1974 draft. He was just out of high school at 18.

Right away, the Brewers saw something in him. His draft spot showed they believed in his talent. At 6 feet and 180 pounds, he looked the part of a power pitcher.

The team invested in his development early, thinking he could anchor their pitching staff. That bet paid off as Haas worked his way up through their system.

Minor League Development and Progression

After the 1974 draft, Haas spent two years in the minors. The Brewers helped him sharpen his pitching and build up his strength.

He learned to harness his power and started working on his secondary pitches. That development was crucial for what came next.

Coaches noticed his steady improvement. By 1976, they decided he was ready for the majors.

MLB Debut and Early Impact

Moose made his big league debut on September 8, 1976, at age 20. He faced the New York Yankees as a late-season call-up after just two years in the minors.

His first outing showed flashes of what was coming. He pitched three innings, gave up three hits and one earned run, and struck out two. Not bad for a rookie.

In 1977, he got his first full season in the majors. He landed a spot in the starting rotation and made 32 starts. He finished 10-12 with a 4.33 ERA, locking down his place in Milwaukee’s pitching staff.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

Moose Haas spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming a key part of their rotation and even setting franchise records. His time with the team featured strong seasons in 1977 and 1980, a strikeout record that lasted over 20 years, and a big role in the franchise’s first World Series run.

Breakout Seasons and Performance

Haas broke out as a reliable starter after his 1976 debut. In 1977, he went 10-12 with a 4.33 ERA and took home the Milwaukee Brewers Rookie of the Year award from local writers.

His best year came in 1980. He led the team with a 16-15 record and set career highs in innings pitched (252⅓), complete games (14), and shutouts (3).

The Brewers didn’t give him much run support that year. In his 15 losses, they got shut out four times and scored two or fewer runs in 11 games. With a little more offense, he probably would’ve hit 20 wins.

The consistency he showed in 1980 made him the team’s go-to starter heading into their championship push.

Franchise Strikeout Record

On April 20, 1978, Haas put together one of the best pitching performances in Brewers history. He struck out 14 Yankees in a complete-game win at Yankee Stadium.

That set a franchise record for strikeouts in a game, a mark that stood until 2004. It was only his second start of the season, and he looked nearly untouchable.

Unfortunately, Haas injured his elbow just days later—a partial tear of the flexor muscle. That injury limited him to only two wins that year.

Still, that record showed off his peak stuff and why the Brewers counted on him so much.

Role in the 1982 World Series

Haas played a big part in Milwaukee’s first World Series run in 1982. After spending some time in the bullpen late in the year, he moved back into the rotation for the playoffs.

He started Game 4 of the ALCS against California and picked up a 9-5 win that helped send the Brewers to the World Series.

In the World Series against the Cardinals, he started Game 4 after finding out not long before the game. “I’m excited, I’ve dreamed about it,” he said.

He pitched 5⅓ innings in that game, giving up five runs in a 7-5 Brewers win that tied the series. He also came in as a reliever in Game 7, taking the mound with two on and two outs in the sixth.

The Cardinals won the series 4-3, but Haas’s efforts helped Milwaukee get farther than ever before.

Oakland Athletics and Final Years

Moose Haas headed to the Oakland Athletics in 1986 after a trade from Milwaukee. He spent his last two seasons there before retiring in 1987. Even with arm injuries, he managed a 7-2 record and a 2.74 ERA in 1986.

Transition to Oakland

The Brewers traded Haas to Oakland in March 1986. In return, they got Steve Kiefer, Charlie O’Brien, and two minor leaguers.

That trade was a big change for Haas after ten years in Milwaukee. The move to Oakland gave him a fresh start.

He brought a dozen years of big league experience to the A’s. That veteran presence helped their pitching staff.

This move marked the final chapter of his career. He spent his last two seasons in Oakland before stepping away from the game.

Key Games and Achievements

Haas pitched well in his first season with Oakland. He went 7-2 in 12 starts, with a 2.74 ERA.

He threw 72.1 innings that year, showing he still had something left. His experience stabilized the rotation.

Arm injuries started to catch up with him, though. They limited his time on the mound and eventually pushed him toward retirement.

Still, his 1986 season was a bright spot at the end of his career. That strong ERA and winning record showed he could still get it done.

Retirement after the 1987 Season

The 1987 season turned out to be Moose Haas’s last. Arm injuries just wouldn’t go away, and he couldn’t pitch like he used to.

He retired after the season ended, closing out his career with the A’s. He left the game at 31, which is pretty young for a pitcher.

Those injuries probably cost him a few more years in the majors. Even so, he finished with a 100-83 record, a 4.01 ERA, and 853 strikeouts over 269 games. That’s a steady, respectable career by any measure.

Career Statistics and Milestones

Moose Haas put up some strong numbers in his 12 years in the majors. He collected 100 wins, 83 losses, and 853 strikeouts. His most memorable achievement? Helping the Brewers reach the World Series in 1982.

Overall Pitching and Strikeout Numbers

Haas finished his career with a 100-83 record and a 4.01 ERA over 1,655 innings. He pitched in 266 games and started 252 of them for Milwaukee and Oakland.

He struck out 853 batters, showing he could consistently miss bats. In 1980, he racked up a career-high 146 strikeouts and also posted a 3.10 ERA, which was his best.

The right-hander really hit his stride in the early 1980s. In 1980, he won 16 games and lost 15, completing 14 games with three shutouts.

His 1983 season was a standout, with a .813 winning percentage and a 13-3 record.

Haas kept pretty solid control, walking 436 hitters against those 853 strikeouts. That 1.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio says a lot about how he challenged hitters.

Notable Records and Achievements

The Brewers named Haas their Pitcher of the Year during his time in Milwaukee. His 1983 run stands out, with a .813 winning percentage and a 3.27 ERA.

He managed to finish 56 games during his career, tossing eight shutouts along the way. In 1980, he threw 252.1 innings, which was a personal best for him.

Haas picked up his only career saves with Milwaukee, closing out two games. He showed some versatility, stepping into different roles whenever the team asked.

His 17.4 Wins Above Replacement over 12 seasons really says something about his value. That stat shows just how much better he performed than a typical replacement pitcher.

Postseason Contributions

Haas played a big part in Milwaukee’s 1982 World Series run, pitching in the championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals. That postseason appearance was definitely the high point of his career.

The Brewers took the American League pennant that year. Haas helped out during the regular season, going 11-8 with a 4.47 ERA.

Even though the Brewers lost the series in seven games, Haas’s time on baseball’s biggest stage marked the peak of his major league journey. He got that postseason experience right in the middle of his prime.

Life After Baseball and Personal Reflections

When Moose Haas retired in 1987, he moved into fitness and conditioning work in Phoenix, all while navigating some personal changes. His life after baseball brought career shifts, family changes, and a lasting mark on Brewers history.

Post-Retirement Activities

After Oakland let him go in 1987, Bryan Edmund Haas decided to call it a career. He headed to Phoenix, Arizona, and started focusing on fitness and conditioning.

He built a reputation as a physical trainer and conditioning coach in the Phoenix area. That path made sense for him, considering his lifelong passion for fitness and sports. His background as a pro athlete gave him some real insight when it came to training others.

Switching from pitcher to trainer helped Haas stay close to the world of athletics. He put his MLB conditioning experience to good use. That work in Phoenix kept him busy for years after he hung up his spikes.

Family Life and Personal Interests

Moose Haas married Diana Landgrebe of Milwaukee on October 1, 1977, just before his second MLB season wrapped up. They had a son, Joshua Ryan, who was born in 1984 while Haas was still playing.

But life took a turn for Haas after baseball ended, and he went through some major changes. While working in fitness, he met a woman who used to teach aerobics for the Brewers.

That relationship really shook things up. Haas ended up leaving Diana for the former aerobics instructor. It was a huge turning point for him after his playing days.

Legacy in Baseball History

Moose Haas put together a career record of 100 wins and 83 losses with a 4.01 ERA across 269 games. Honestly, that’s a pretty solid run.

His best year? Definitely 1980. He went 16-15 with a 3.10 ERA and pitched a whopping 252⅓ innings for Milwaukee.

On April 12, 1978, Haas struck out 14 batters against the New York Yankees. That set a Milwaukee Brewers franchise record which lasted for 26 years, until Ben Sheets finally broke it in 2004.

Haas showed up in the 1982 World Series as part of the Brewers squad that made the franchise’s only World Series trip. He started Game Four against the St. Louis Cardinals, and helped Milwaukee tie the series, though they lost in seven games.

From 1976 to 1987, Haas played mainly for Milwaukee, then wrapped up with two seasons in Oakland. He’s still a name Brewers fans remember—one of the team’s top pitchers during their most competitive years.