Sal Bando, who spent the final five seasons of a decorated playing career with the Milwaukee Brewers and then held the role of general manager with the franchise for another eight seasons, died Friday at age 78 in Oconomowoc. A statement from his family said Bando had been battling cancer for five years.
The three-time World Series champion as a player with the Oakland Athletics made four all-star teams during his playing days with the A's and signed a five-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Brewers after the 1976 season, the first premier free-agency additions in Brewers history.