Following the advice of Warren Spahn, Brewer developed a screwball to become one of the most successful relievers in the National League in the 1960s and 1970s.

[1] A graduate of Broken Arrow Senior High in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Brewer compiled a 69–65 record with 810 strikeouts and a 3.07 earned run average in a 17-year career that began with the Cubs and ended with the Angels, and in between spent twelve seasons with the Dodgers.

Brewer, then with the Cubs, brushed back Martin, then with the Cincinnati Reds, with a pitch in the second inning of a game at Wrigley Field.

Immediately after his playing career, Brewer became pitching coach of the Montreal Expos, serving for three seasons (1977–79) on the staff of future Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams.

[1] Brewer died in Tyler, Texas, of injuries suffered in an automobile accident at the age of 50.