Happy Birthday to Yu

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish hits the big 3-0 today. Like millions of kids who grew up in baseball-loving countries, Darvish may have dreamed of becoming a slugger, but he's made his mark on the mound. The Japanese righthander has averaged well over a strikeout per inning since arriving in Texas in 2012. Back in action this summer, he's part of that impressive Rangers rotation anchored by Cole Hamels.

(These images are from the Rangers visit to Citi Field in July 2014.)

Some other baseball birthdays of note from August 16th:

Delino DeShields, Jr, Darvish's Texas teammate, who finished 7th last year in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year.

Roger Cedeno, the speedy outfielder on the pennant-winning 2000 Mets, who these days equally recognized as the uncle (and mentor) of Padres 3rd baseman Yangervis Solarte.

Bob "Buck" Rodgers, the Angels regular catcher during most of the 1960s and later, the manager of the Brewers, Expos and Angels.

Mike Jorgensen, who played 17 seasons in the majors, beginning with his hometown Mets. A gifted defensive player, who is one of many big leaguers who came out of New York's St. John's University, Mike has served the Cardinals for decades as a minor league instructor, special assistant -- and in 1995, interim manager between Hall of Fame skippers Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa.

Gene Woodling, whose career was bookended by Casey Stengel's

Yankee dynasty and 1962 Mets.
Al Holland, bullpen ace on the 1983 pennant-winning Phillies.

Madonna, the biggest selling recording artist of all time -- and co-star of the classic baseball film A League of Their Own.

And a special shout-out to my daughter Leigh -- on whom I never tried to force-feed baseball -- I thought you might get a kick out of checking all that took place in baseball on the day she was born.
Leigh is now making a name for herself in media, as a respected newspaper reporter in our home state of Connecticut. Love ya!