Game 45 is upon us, and the Brewers are in town—though let's be honest, "brewing" in Milwaukee these days is more about what you'll find at your nearest Starbucks than the old beer barons of yesteryear. But hey, the sun is shining and the weather is perfect for baseball: a crisp 83°F with clear skies, setting the stage for a 6:10 PM Central first pitch at Target Field.

On the mound for Milwaukee today is Coleman Crow, a name that might not ring a bell unless you're deep into the Brewers' prospect lists. This will be just his second MLB start—his first came back in April—so we're in for a bit of a mystery. According to BrewerFanatic, Crow is ranked as the team's 16th-best prospect, while MLB.com has him at 25th. Both agree on one thing: his curveball is a thing of beauty, with a wicked spin rate that can make hitters look silly. As one scout put it, he "seems to find ways to get outs even when he doesn't have his 'A' stuff that night." So, expect some grit and guile from the young right-hander.

Now, let's take a trip down baseball's memory lane with a story that's as odd as it is fascinating—courtesy of The Baseball Project's songbook. Today's tale is about Larry Yount, the older brother of Brewers legend Robin Yount. Drafted by the Astros in 1968 at just 18 years old, Larry showed promise in the minors despite some control issues. By September 1971, he was one of Houston's top five pitching prospects, according to SABR historian Kurt Blumenau.

But baseball can be cruel. On September 15, 1971, with the Astros trailing the Braves 4-1 in the ninth inning, Larry was called in from the bullpen. As he warmed up on the mound, he felt a sharp pain in his elbow. He couldn't throw a single pitch, and that was it—his big-league career ended before it truly began. He's the only player in MLB history to make an official appearance without facing a batter or throwing a single in-game pitch.

Larry spent three more seasons in the minors, but those control issues never went away, and his strikeouts dwindled. By age 26, he was out of organized baseball. It's a tough break, but it's also a reminder of how fragile a baseball career can be.

The Baseball Project stumbled upon Larry's story during a visit to the Hall of Fame, when a curator told them, "You know what? This would make a great song." And they were right. It's a poignant chapter in Brewers history, even if it's not the one you'd expect.

So, as you settle in to watch tonight's game, grab your favorite Brewers gear—maybe a classic Robin Yount jersey—and remember that every player on that field has a story. Some are triumphant, some are heartbreaking, but all are part of the beautiful game we love.