The Baseball Card: 2005 Fleer Patchworks Lyle Overbay #39
The Baseball Card Value: $1.00

On the back of Fleer Patchworks 2005 Lyle Overbay baseball cards is his 2004 performance with the Milwaukee Brewers. With a consistent performance at the plate, Overbay emerged as a breakout for the Brewers that year. Here’s a deep dive into his remarkable season.

Setting the Stage of the 2004 Milwaukee Brewers Season

Before exploring Lyle Overbay in 2004, it’s beneficial to understand the Brewers’ season. Overbay began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks and found himself in the midst of a trade heading into the 2004 season. He was dealt to the Brewers along with Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey, Chris Capuano, Chad Moeller, and Jorge de la Rosa for Richiee Sexson and Shane Nance. He would prove to be reliable player in 2004, which was a rough year for the Brewers where they finished 67-94, good for 6th in the NL Central.

The Back of Baseball Cards

Overbay’s 2004 statistics not only highlighted his personal growth as a player but also showcased his pivotal role in the Brewers’ lineup. Overbay played in 159 games in 2004, slashing .301/.385/.478. He drove in 87 runs, walloped 16 homers and led the National League in doubles with 53.

As a first baseman, he registered 2.2 fWAR with the Brewers in 2004, which put him in the range of Miguel Cabrera, Sammy Sosa, Alfonso Soriano, and Rocco Baldelli that season. His defense held him back that year, with -12 DRS – the worst of his playing career.

Revenge Against an Old Team

Whenever a player gets to play his former team, it’s always something a little extra special. On the back of his baseball card, Lyle Overbay is stated to have set career highs with three doubles, four hits, and four RBIs while playing against his old team – the Arizona Diamondbacks – on April 22nd, 2004.

That day he would go 4-6 with a walk, 1 run scored and the 4 hits that he gathered in 7 plate appearances. He would amass 7 total bases and drove in 4 of the 9 Milwaukee Brewers runs. His doubles came off Brandon Webb, Mike Koplove, and Matt Mantei.

Unfortunately, the Brew Crew would go on to lose 11-9 in a high scoring game.

Fan Adoration for Lyle Overbay

In Milwaukee, Overbay quickly became a fan favorite. Beyond statistics, his earnest approach to the game and his camaraderie with teammates resonated with the Brewers’ fanbase. Fans saw in him not just a star performer but also a dedicated team player. The fans honored Overbay with cardboard cut outs of “O” and an “O” chant as well when he stepped to the plate.

While Lyle Overbay wasn’t a superstar in MLB, he was a steady player throughout his playing career. He would play from 2001-2014 for six different teams and was able to retire a Brewer in 2014.