If Your Birthday is October 14th...

 ...you share it with Joe Girardi, who succeeded Joe Torre and spent a decade managing the Yankees -- highlighted by winning the 2009 World Series. Over 10 seasons, his teams compiled a 910-710 record, the sixth most wins in franchise history.  That run ended after his youthful 2017 club lost the ALCS to the Astros -- amidst rumblings of communications problems with some of his young players, such as Gary Sanchez. Following two years with MLB Network, the former Yankees, Cardinals and Rockies catcher took over the Phillies in 2020, but was fired in early June after a 22-29 start. 

Pat Kelly appeared to be a fixture at 2nd base for the Yankees up until the 1994 player strike.  Once the action resumed, he fell victim to injuries, though he did enjoy one big moment in 1995 -- a 9th inning homer that helped beat Toronto in the next-to-last game of the season as the Yanks claimed the first American League Wild Card. Married to an Australian, Kelly moved "down under" after his playing career ended. He's helped coach their national team and grow baseball in a country better known for  Australian Rules Football.

Ed Figueroa, who came to the Yankees along with Mickey Rivers in exchange for Bobby Bonds, had three very productive seasons alongside Ron Guidry in the Yankee rotation (1976-'78), but was the never the same after a 1979 elbow injury.

Art Shamsky, who shared right field with Ron Swoboda on the 1969 Champion Mets, is also in the record books as one of a handful of players to belt four consecutive home runs (that happened in 1966 when he played for the Reds).  

Tommy Harper, a speedy outfielder during the '60 and '70s, who twice stole over 50 bases in a season.  

And we remember:

Oscar Charleston, the Negro Leagues star whose .364 career average ranks second all time  to Ty Cobb.

Tom Cheney,  the Washington Senators pitcher who struck out 21 Baltimore batters in a 16-inning game in 1962 -- a record still unmatched. He seemed to be on the verge of stardom until his career was sidetracked by an elbow injury. He died from Alzheimers in 2001.

Saturday's cake and candles go to a legend and a pair of present-day stars:

Jim Palmer is, plain and simple, the greatest pitcher in Orioles history.  His 268 lifetime victories include eight 20-game-win seasons and three Cy Young Awards.  Talk about getting the job done, his 211 complete games (including four seasons with 20 or more) are such a contrast to today's starters who don't always face an opposing lineup three times.

Jack Flaherty is the Cardinals talented but brittle young ace.  When healthy, the Burbank, California native ranks with the best pitchers in the game.  But he's made just 23 starts over the last two seasons.

:

Teoscar Hernandez adds power to the middle of the Toronto lineup, with 25 or more homers in each of the last three full seasons.

Then Sunday, we head to Rocky Balboa's hometown:

Bryce Harper, a star since he arrived as a 19-year old Rookie of the Year with the Nationals. In 2015, he became the third-youngest everyday player to be named MVP; but surprised the baseball world four years later when he signed as a free agent with the Phillies.  Despite an elbow injury that limited him to DH play and a broken thumb that cost him the middle of the season, he remains the most feared bat in the Phils lineup.