Birthdays: 12/8
 

Reds:

Jolbert Cabrera (38) -Who were the most recent brothers to play for the Reds? I'd have guessed the Boones, but I forgot about the Cabreras. Jolbert was a Red in 2008; as far as I know he's still playing overseas.

Others:

Mike Mussina (43) -Very smart guy. Came very close to being valedictorian of his high school class. Supposedly tanked because he didn't want to make a speech at commencement. Earned an economics degree from Stanford. Won at least 17 games eight times in the majors. A crossword-puzzle afficionado, he's featured in the documentary "Wordplay". Another hobby: collecting tractors.

Ed Brinkman -High school teammate of Pete Rose, and a much more highly-regarded prospect. Became a good-field-no-hit shortstop, at one point going 72 games witout an error. Died in 2008.

Brant Alyea (71) -Drafted by the Reds but didn't sign; eventually came up with the Senators and homered in his first at bat. Was in the news years later when he reconnected with a son, also a baseball player, who he'd unknowingly fathered while playinng winter ball in Nicaragua (I may have some of the details wrong on this).

Moses Solomon -The New York Giants, feeling that a Jewish star would help their box office, signed Solomon to a big contract and christened him the "Rabbi of Swat". Solomon never lived up to expectations in his brief career. His career fielding average: .833.

Re: Birthdays: 12/8
 

Brant Alyea played winter ball in Venezuela in the early '70s in Venezuela with the Magallanes team.
There has been no Nicaraguan Winter League as far as I know (perhaps pre-WWII).

Actually no... I stand corrected for those who read spanish.

http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2010/06/2...29217/imprimir

Re: Birthdays: 12/8
 

Okay, I had a chance to find a link to the whole story:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...83/1/index.htm

Re: Birthdays: 12/8
 

Thanks.

Re: Birthdays: 12/8
 

He is the oldest pitcher ever to have a 20-win season for the first time
at age 39 in 2008.