If Your Birthday is June 24th...

...you share it with Phil Hughes, a top Yankees prospect of the '00s, whose career was dogged by injuries. After winning 18 in 2010, he looked like a future ace -- albeit one who gave up a lot of home runs. He posted an 88-79 record over a dozen big league seasons.

George Vukovich divided his six big league seasons between the Phillies and Indians. He never delivered the power expected from an everyday player, until his two seasons (1986-'87) in Japan.

Ken Reitz was the Cardinals regular 3rd baseman for most of the 1970s. Taking over for Joe Torre, he was especially adept at fielding grounders on the slick, fast artificial surface then used at Busch Stadium.

And we remember....

Don Mincher, a power-hitting 1st baseman best known as with the 1960s Twins, who was part of history on June 9th, 1966 -- when he was one of five Twins players to hit home runs during the 7th inning of a game against the Kansas City A's. The first time that ever happened. (The feat was matched by the 2017 Nationals against the Brewers.)

George Harper, an outfielder who struggled with the 1916-'18 Tigers, but after returning to the majors with the Reds in 1922, he became a career .300 hitter. Harper, who stood just 5'8, hit 15 or more homers six times during the "Roaring 20s." On a date without a Hall of Famer, Harper stands as the best player born on the 24th of June.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rare Remnant of a Lost Ballpark

Will He Wear Zero in the Bronx?

Spring Training Flashbacks: Subway Series, Florida Style - 2016