Mark Brouhard – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mark Brouhard had a baseball career that gives us a fascinating look at the journey of a talented outfielder. He really made his mark during the Milwaukee Brewers’ unforgettable seasons in the early 1980s.

Born on May 22, 1956, in Burbank, California, Brouhard played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1985. He spent his entire MLB career with the Brewers.

Brouhard became a bit of a folk hero in the 1982 American League Championship Series. He stepped in for injured Ben Oglivie and went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a huge Game 4 win over California. That moment really showed how he could deliver under pressure during Milwaukee’s historic World Series run.

He started as a Rule 5 draft pick in 1979 and even played professionally in Japan with the Yakult Swallows before he hung up his cleats. These days, Brouhard runs a painting business in Camarillo, California, showing how he found success after baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Mark Steven Brouhard was born on May 22, 1956, in Burbank, California. He grew up as a multi-sport athlete before zeroing in on baseball.

His athletic journey took him from being a high school star to playing junior college baseball. Eventually, he got picked in the MLB draft.

Family Background and Childhood

Mark Steven Brouhard came into the world in Burbank, California, in 1956. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, right in the middle of Southern California’s booming sports scene during the ’60s and ’70s.

He spent his childhood in an area famous for producing talented athletes. The warm climate and year-round sports created an ideal place for kids to develop their skills.

Brouhard’s family always encouraged his athletic pursuits. That support helped him shine in multiple sports as a teenager.

High School Sports Achievements

At El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, Brouhard stood out as a three-sport athlete. His versatility and athleticism made him a key player on several teams.

He played both running back and linebacker on the football field. That dual role showed off his physicality and football smarts.

In track and field, he focused on the shot put. He had the arm strength and explosiveness that later helped him in baseball.

For the baseball team, Brouhard played as a designated hitter and catcher. These positions showed off his hitting and his ability to handle different roles behind the plate.

His success in all three sports made him one of El Camino Real’s top athletes. College recruiters and pro scouts started to pay serious attention to his baseball skills.

Baseball at Pierce College

After high school, Brouhard kept playing baseball at Pierce College. He spent two seasons there, sharpening his skills and catching the eyes of pro scouts.

Pierce College gave him the chance to focus more on baseball. The competitive environment helped him improve his hitting and fielding.

During his time at Pierce, he impressed scouts from major league teams. His power hitting and defensive flexibility made him a hot prospect.

The California Angels picked Brouhard in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Amateur Draft. That selection, during the January Draft’s Regular Phase, marked the official start of his pro baseball journey.

His two years at Pierce set him up for the leap to pro ball. That junior college experience really helped him get ready for what came next.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

Mark Brouhard’s road to pro baseball started after a standout career at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. The California Angels picked him in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB January Draft after his time at Pierce College, sending him on a minor league journey that led to a Texas League MVP award.

Draft by California Angels

The California Angels drafted Mark Brouhard in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB January Draft. He came from Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California, where he’d played two years.

Brouhard had been a three-sport athlete at El Camino Real High. He played football as a running back and linebacker, and he threw the shot put in track.

On the baseball team, he served as both a designated hitter and catcher. That versatility showed just how athletic he was.

The Angels saw real potential in the right-handed hitter from Burbank. Born on May 22, 1956, Brouhard was just 20 when he started his pro career.

Minor League Development

Brouhard worked his way up through the Angels’ minor league system for several seasons. He developed his skills as an outfielder and learned to hit professional pitching.

The Angels helped him move from catching to playing outfield. That kind of position switch was common for players with strong arms and good bats.

He improved steadily in the minors. Brouhard became a power hitter who could drive in runs.

He played at different levels of minor league baseball. Each stop along the way helped him get ready for tougher competition.

Achievement with El Paso Diablos

In his fourth minor league season, Brouhard broke out with the El Paso Diablos in the Double-A Texas League. He won the league MVP award and also achieved the Triple Crown.

His Triple Crown stats were eye-catching: .350 batting average, 28 home runs, and 107 RBIs. He showed he could hit for both power and average.

That season in El Paso proved that Brouhard was ready for the next level. Other teams started to notice him too.

But even after that big year, the California Angels made a surprising move. They left Brouhard unprotected in the 1979 Rule 5 Draft, and another team picked him up.

Major League Career With Milwaukee Brewers

Mark Brouhard played his entire six-year MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1980 to 1985. He appeared in 304 games and hit .259, serving as both a designated hitter and outfielder. He contributed 25 home runs and 104 RBIs and helped the team reach the 1982 World Series.

1980 Debut and Rookie Season

Brouhard made his MLB debut on April 12, 1980, at age 23 against the Boston Red Sox. The Milwaukee Brewers had picked him in the 1979 Rule 5 draft, which gave him a quick shot at the majors.

In his first season, he played in 45 games and got 133 plate appearances. Brouhard picked up 29 hits in 125 at bats, ending up with a .232 average.

Key 1980 Stats:

• Hits: 29
• Home runs: 5
• RBIs: 16
• Runs scored: 17
• Doubles: 6

He showed his versatility early, playing multiple positions. Brouhard appeared as a designated hitter in 21 games and also spent time in the outfield and at first base. That flexibility became a trademark of his MLB career.

Key Regular Season Performance

Brouhard had his best seasons in 1982 and 1983, posting his highest offensive numbers. In 1982, he hit .269 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs in 40 games.

His top season came in 1983, when he played 56 games and batted .276. That year, he collected 51 hits in 185 at bats, including 10 doubles and 7 home runs.

1983 Season Highlights:

• Batting average: .276
• Hits: 51
• Home runs: 7
• RBIs: 23
• Doubles: 10

Brouhard’s role changed from year to year. He played anywhere from 37 to 66 games each season, with at bats ranging from 108 in his last year to 197 in 1984. He was more of a role player than an everyday starter.

1982 ALCS and World Series Impact

The 1982 season was the high point of Brouhard’s career, as the Milwaukee Brewers made it to the World Series. During the regular season, he put up solid numbers in a smaller role, playing 40 games.

In the postseason, Brouhard made a big impact. During the 1982 playoffs, he went 3-for-4, including a double and a home run.

In the World Series, he scored 4 runs and drove in 3 RBIs. His home run came at a clutch moment, giving the Brewers a boost in their chase for a championship.

The Brewers lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Still, Brouhard’s contributions during that run stand out as a highlight of his career.

Role as Designated Hitter and Outfielder

Over his six seasons, Brouhard mostly played as a designated hitter and outfielder. The DH role fit his offensive skills and kept him focused on hitting.

He played right field and left field too. In 1981, he appeared in 51 outfield games, making 92 putouts and 7 assists, with a .990 fielding percentage.

Career Position Breakdown:

• Designated hitter: Became his main job in later years
• Right field: 76 games total
• Left field: 18 games total
• First base: 10 games in 1980

As a DH, Brouhard gave the Brewers a steady offensive threat off the bench. He could drive in runs and came through in clutch situations, especially during the team’s big 1982 season.

He finished his career with 235 hits, 40 doubles, and 104 RBIs in 909 at bats. That steady production made him a solid contributor in a specialized role.

International Experience With Yakult Swallows

After six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Mark Brouhard headed to Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He spent parts of two seasons with the Yakult Swallows from 1986 to 1987. His first season in Japan was especially strong—he hit 21 home runs.

Transition to Japanese Baseball

The Milwaukee Brewers sold Brouhard to the Yakult Swallows after the 1985 season. For American players wanting to keep their careers going, this move made sense.

Brouhard joined the Swallows in Japan’s Central League for the 1986 season. The team struggled, finishing with just 49 wins and 77 losses, landing in sixth place.

Even though the team didn’t do well, Brouhard adjusted to Japanese baseball quickly. He became part of the Swallows’ core lineup with guys like Leon Lee, who led the team with 34 homers that year.

Playing in Nippon Professional Baseball let Brouhard keep his career going after MLB. That international experience gave him more time in the game than he would’ve had in the States.

Offensive Achievements in NPB

Brouhard’s 1986 season in Japan was a strong one. He hit 21 home runs, batted .258, and drove in 64 runs for the Yakult Swallows.

He ranked among the team’s top sluggers that year. Only Leon Lee hit more home runs, while Katsumi Hirosawa also reached double digits.

The 1987 season brought changes for Brouhard and the Swallows. The team dropped him to make space for Bob Horner, another American import.

Brouhard split his 1987 season between the Angels organization in the U.S. and one last stint with Yakult. That ended his international baseball journey and wrapped up his playing career.

His time with the Swallows proved he could keep hitting for power, even in a new baseball culture.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Mark Brouhard wrapped up his professional baseball career after the 1985 season with the Milwaukee Brewers. That marked the end of his six years in MLB.

Once he stepped away from American baseball, Brouhard dove into business ownership in California. He didn’t waste much time making that shift.

Last Professional Games and Decision to Retire

Brouhard played his final MLB game on October 6, 1985, facing the Boston Red Sox. He went 0-for-4 that day, which closed out his major league stats at a .259 average with 25 home runs.

The 1985 season didn’t go easy for him. He bounced between Milwaukee and Triple-A Vancouver during his last three years with the Brewers.

That limited playing time probably nudged him to start looking elsewhere. Instead of calling it quits right away, Brouhard decided to keep playing, just not in the U.S.

The Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Central League bought his contract after 1985. Brouhard spent two seasons there and actually hit 21 home runs for Yakult in 1986.

He came back to the Angels organization in 1987, but also finished up his last season with Yakult. That really was the end of his pro baseball run.

Later Career and Business Ventures

After baseball, Brouhard carved out a spot for himself in business. He launched his own painting business in Camarillo, California, and decided to settle down there.

Switching from athlete to business owner was a big leap. Running his painting company let him stay in California, the place where he grew up and went to high school.

His business did well enough to support him after baseball. The painting industry gave Brouhard steady work and let him be his own boss, which must’ve felt pretty different from team sports.

Sticking around California kept him close to his roots. He was born in Burbank and went to El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills before chasing his baseball dream.

Career Legacy and Statistical Overview

Mark Steven Brouhard put together steady, if not flashy, numbers during his six years with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1980 to 1985. His biggest impact came in the Brewers’ 1982 run to the World Series.

Major League Statistics and Accomplishments

Brouhard played in 304 MLB games, racking up 909 at bats and 235 hits for a .259 batting average. He hit 25 home runs, drove in 104 runs, and scored 108 times.

His best season probably came in 1983. That year, he hit .276 with 7 home runs and 23 RBIs over 56 games. He also posted his top slugging percentage at .454 and an OPS of .769.

Brouhard moved around the field, playing outfield and designated hitter. He knocked 40 doubles, showing some gap power, but only managed 7 triples.

Career Totals:

• Games: 304
• At Bats: 909
• Hits: 235
• Home Runs: 25
• RBIs: 104
• Runs Scored: 108
• Batting Average: .259

Impact on Teams and Notable Moments

People still talk about Brouhard’s biggest moment with the Milwaukee Brewers during their 1982 World Series run. He only got into one postseason game, but he went 3-for-4, smashed a home run, and drove in three runs. That’s a wild .750 batting average, even if it was just a quick appearance.

He came to Milwaukee from California right when the team was really hitting its stride in the early 1980s. They let him fill in as a part-time player and designated hitter, which gave the roster some extra depth. Not bad, considering the lineup already had a few future Hall of Famers.

Brouhard played his final MLB game on October 6, 1985, against the Boston Red Sox. He was only 29. After leaving the Brewers, he gave pro baseball one last shot with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.

He spent six years with Milwaukee, right in the middle of their most successful stretch. Brouhard helped build a team culture where everyone was expected to contribute on offense, no matter where they landed in the lineup.