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I was always a fan of Gabe Kapler back when he was coming up in the Tigers system in the late 1990’s, but I almost sprayed Dr. Pepper all over my laptop when I saw this in Phil Rogers most recent Chicago Tribune article:

Perhaps even more remarkable is the comeback of outfielder Gabe Kapler, who just signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Milwaukee after spending 2007 managing in the South Atlantic League. The plan is to have him essentially replace the non-tendered Kevin Mench as a right-handed option to share time with Tony Gwynn Jr., Gabe Gross and Drew Anderson in left field.

And I thought the Cubs 4th outfielder situation was a little thin, since at the moment they seem to be depending on Mark DeRosa to start against southpaws in 2008.

All things considered though he would probably be no worse than Kevin Mench… assuming he makes the team out of spring training. Interesting enough, Kapler was not only retired but actually managing in the minor leagues in 2006. I wonder if anyone else has ever made the transition from manager back to player.

This isn’t the first time the Brewers have experimented with their reserve outfielders. They gave my all-time favorite failed Cubs prospect Brooks Kieschnick a shot as an outfielder/pitcher back in 2003… and he did very well, as something of an ultimate utility player.

Since he was a manager, maybe Kapler can be an outfielder/bench coach.