Birthdays: 4/29

[chicoruiz]

Reds:

John Vander Wal (46) -Wrapped up his career with the 2004 Reds. Later a Padres scout.

Noodles Hahn -Won 20+ games four times with the turn-of-the-century Reds. Described by one source as "the best piano player in baseball".

Others:

Josh Booty (37) -When the all-time high school football team was selected, the quarterbacks were Joe Namath, John Elway, and Josh Booty. An uber-prospect in two sports, he chose baseball. That didn't really work out for him so he returned to college at LSU and quarterbacked his team to a bowl win. He was never really successful in the NFL either, but at 37 he's a successful businessman and married to a "Price Is Right" model, and he has a ton of memories, so it's hard to feel sorry for him.

Ron Washington (60) -Happy B-Day to the Rangers skipper.

Rick Burleson (61) -The ultra-competitive "Rooster", he managed for a number of years in the Reds system.

Tom House (65) -Lefty reliever turned pitching guru. Known for catching Hank Aaron's record-breaking homer. Aaron admits that when Tom presented him with the ball at home plate, Henry had no idea who Tom was; he thought he was a bat boy. Tom received nothing for giving up the ball, although a local store did give him a free TV. His pitching book, by the way, is pretty good.

Luis Aparicio (78) -First Latin Rookie of the Year; a fairly low OBP guy who still hit at the top of the order because back then speedy middle infielders always hit at the top of the order (thank God there are no managers who think that nowadays...). Terrific base stealer and defensive player, he held a number of career records until Omar Vizquel broke them recently.

Ed Charles (779) -His career got a late start, but he was still probably the best player in Kansas City A's history. Wrote poetry as a hobby. Retired after being part of the 1969 "Miracle Mets".

Mickey McDermott -His father falsified his birth certificate so he could sign at age 15. At age 17 he threw a no-hitter for Scranton in the Eastern League; he's probably the youngest player ever to throw a no-hitter in the high minors. His major league career, and much of his post-baseball life, was made more difficult by alcoholism. He wrote an autobiography titled A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cooperstown, which I need to read. Some sources say he and his second wife won 7 million in the Arizona lottery, but others don't mention it.

[Big Klu]

Originally Posted by chicoruiz

Ed Charles (779) -His career got a late start

I would say so! Most players are retiring by the time they reach 500 years old at the latest!

[cumberlandreds]

Ed Charles is easily the oldest living player at 779. I actually remember seeing Charles as a coach or Manager for the Kingsport Mets a long time ago. He must have been a young pup of 750 then.

[Bob Borkowski]

Haha. You guys kill me!

[oneupper]

Luis Aparicio is the still the only Venezuelan enshrined in Cooperstown.

[Bob Borkowski]

Originally Posted by chicoruiz

Ed Charles (779) -His career got a late start, but he was still probably the best player in Kansas City A's history. Wrote poetry as a hobby. Retired after being part of the 1969 "Miracle Mets".

His nickname was 'The Glider' because of his play around third base and his graceful baserunning.