Birthdays: 3/23

[chicoruiz]

Reds:

Ramon Ortiz (39) -Once you get labeled as a "major league" pitcher, some guys get chance after chance, even after it becomes clear to everyone that there have got to be better options out there. Ramon's Reds year was 2005.

Mike Remlinger (46) -Dartmouth grad; a lefty reliever who actually got righties out too. Pitched for the Reds from '95 to '98, then had his best years as an Atlanta Brave.

Bo Diaz -Bo would have been 59 today. On June 27, 1986, Bo was part of a record; he threw Robbie Thompson out trying to steal three times and another catcher threw him out once. Four caught stealings in a game is a record, although at least two of them were botched hit and run plays.

Lee May (69) -The Big Bopper had the shortest, most compact stroke of any power hitter I ever saw.

Others:

George Scott (66) -Played shortstop in the minors but gradually outgrew the position and became a first baseman. Red Sox fans went from watching Dick Stuart, one of the worst fielding 1B in history, to Boomer, one of the best. George was a funny guy; when asked about his puka shell necklace he claimed it was made from second baseman's teeth.

Cy Slapnicka -Not much of a player, but a terrific scout who signed Bob Feller and Bob Lemon among others.

Gavy Cravath -First native of the San Diego area to play in the bigs. Power hitter in a dead-ball era. After he retired he became a judge in Long Beach, CA.

[Roy Tucker]

Gavy Cravath -First native of the San Diego area to play in the bigs. Power hitter in a dead-ball era. After he retired he became a judge in Long Beach, CA.

Looked this guy up to see what kind of name "Gavy" is. His name is Clifford Carlton so, how they go Gavy out of that, I don't know (and other sources have him "Gavvy").

But I did find this quote from him about his lack of speed which I loved the language of:

"They call me wooden shoes and piano legs and a few other pet names. I do not claim to be the fastest man in the world, but I can get around the bases with a fair wind and all sails set. And so long as I am busting the old apple on the seam, I am not worrying a great deal about my legs."

[chicoruiz]

"Gavy" is short for the Italian word for "seagull"...he hit a seagull with a ball in the minors. Sportswriters started spelling it with two Vs because that's how it was pronounced.

[Bob Borkowski]

Reds:

Lee May (69) -The Big Bopper had the shortest, most compact stroke of any power hitter I ever saw.

Finished his career with the Royals. After being released as a player, he was hired back as the team's hitting coach and in that capacity he was part of the World Series Champion Royals in 1985.