If Your Birthday is September 13th...

...you share it with Bernie Williams.  The Yankees centerfielder during their most-recent dynasty was a five-time All Star and four-time World Champ.  This dependable run producer hit .297 over 16 seasons with 287 home runs -- and has plenty of memorable post-season moments: remember game three of 1996 ALDS, when he homered and then robbed a homer from the Rangers?  His walk-off homer in game one of the 1999 ALCS and catching the final out of the 2000 World Series against the Mets...  A gifted guitarist, he's concentrated on music since his playing days ended in 2006.  Bernie's number 51 -- chosen in honor of his native Puerto Rico's aspirations to become our 51st state -- was retired in 2015.

Taylor Trammell, once a 1st round draft pick of the Reds, spent parts of 2021-'23 with the Mariners, then bounced from the Dodgers to the Yankees in 2024, spending most of the year at Scranton-Wilkes Barre.  17 home runs and 17 steals in AAA show his potential, but he's yet to live up to those expectations in the majors. 

A year ago, Osleivis Basabe was one of the Rays' hottest minor league hitters -- enough for him to be promoted for a few late-season games.  But the Venezuelan infielder has struggled in 2024; only a recent streak moved his average above .250.  Still, that previous success will likely mean a chance to move up again in the future.




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