Birthdays: 3/24

[chicoruiz]

Reds:

Norris Hopper (33) -According to Wikipedia, he's currently playing with an outfit called the Somerset Patriots.

Ron Robinson (50) -Happy 50th, Creature. Ron would probably like to forget his first major league start; he surrendered 7 runs in 1/3 of an inning. Only one was earned, however...

Others:

Starlin Castro (22) -Youngest player to lead the NL in hits.

Al Chambers (51) -First overall pick in the 1979 draft. Career totals: .208, 2 HR, 14 RBI. Oh well...

Garry Templeton (56) -Currently managing the Yuma Panthers in the North American League. First switch-hitter to collect 100 hits from each side in a season.

Jesus Alou (70) -Youngest and least of the Alou brothers.

George Sisler -You want power in a first baseman, but having one that hits .400 ain't all bad either.

Ernie Shore -Famous for one game in 1917. Babe Ruth was the starting pitcher; he was ejected after the first runner reached base, then Ernie came on, the runner was thrown out trying to steal, and Ernie retired the next 26 battes in a row. For a while it was listed as a perfect game, but it's since been changed in the records to a no-hitter.

Roy Thomas -Quintessential leadoff hitter for the Phillies; strong on-base skills and little power. According to Bill James he's the only regular player to score three times as many runs as he drove in over a career. Once fouled off 22 pitches in an at-bat.

[Bob Borkowski]

Jesus Alou (70) -Youngest and least of the Alou brothers.

But even so, he hung around for 15 seasons. Or parts thereof.

[marcshoe]

I'm glad to see that Ernie Shore's perfect game has been reclassified. Even when I read about it as a kid, I didn't think it was right to call a game in which a runner reached first perfect.

It's still an interesting story, though. Kind of like Germany Schaefer stealing first.