Birthdays: 12/17

Reds:

Steve Parris (44) -The losing pitcher in the 1999 single-game playoff with the Mets.

Leo Cardenas (73) -One of my all-time favorites; a Gold-Glove winner and a five-time all-star. Pete Rose's double-play partner for six years, yet as Bill James points out, Pete never mentions him at all in any of his books.

Ray Jablonski -Reds starting 3B in 1954.

Others:

Chase Utley (33) - Made the last out at Veterans Stadium. Has the second-longest hitting streak of any left-handed hitter (Tommy Holmes is first).

Curtis Pride (43) -Currently the head baseball coach at Gallaudet University. Was a Parade All-American soccer player in high school.

Marvell Wynne Jr. (52) -Speaking of soccer, Marvell's son Marvell III plays for the Colorado Rapids of the MSL. Marvell made baseball history when he, Tony Gwynn and John Kruk led off a game with three consecutive solo home runs- the only time that's ever happened.

Jerry Adair -A wonderful defensive second baseman who was lost in the shuffle because he played at the same time as Mazeroski, an even better one. Fielded .994 in 1964, which I believe may still be a record.

I believe Curtis Pride is deaf. Not sure if he was the first deaf MLB player, but he's the only one I know of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 757690

I believe Curtis Pride is deaf. Not sure if he was the first deaf MLB player, but he's the only one I know of.

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Dummy Hoy who played with the Reds at the turn of the century was deaf.

There have been a number of deaf players; Curtis was the first one since Dick Sipek in 1945.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 757690

I believe Curtis Pride is deaf. Not sure if he was the first deaf MLB player, but he's the only one I know of.

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Yes he is. Gallaudet is a deaf college in DC. I saw Pride play in the Rookie league in Kingsport Tn many years ago. I don't think I knew then he was deaf.

Kinda off topic but I did umpire a deaf baseball tournament last spring and it was kind of a neat experience. The play as a whole was pretty subpar but there were some players that could really play. Pretty much every team in the tournament played with a ton of passion which as an umpire it is nice to see if your team isn't very good. We at least like to see kids try like hell even though they aren't very good.

There were a couple instances where I made a call that one of the kids didn't like and while they couldn't communicate their disgreement with my call vocally they certainly did with their facial expressions.

Josh Barfield turns 30 today. He is, of course the son of former outfielder Jesse Barfield: David Wells was a teammate of both father and son.