If Your Birthday is May 29th...

...you share it with Steven Matz.  The Long Island native broke in with the Mets during their last pennant winning season (2015).  Joining Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom in a talented young rotation, he never achieved the consistency the Mets hoped for and has since moved on through the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Red Sox and this year, the Rays -- where he's become a steady back of the rotation starter.

There's also a player from New York's other team:  Charlie Hayes' image will forever be etched into Yankees history for catching the foul pop that ended the 1996 World Series -- the Bronx Bombers' first title since 1978, and first of the Jeter/Rivera dynasty.  I snapped this image of the longtime MLB 3rd baseman at the 2011 Old Timers Day.


Who else is in today's birthday circle?  Pirates ace Paul Skenes.  2024's NL Rookie of the Year and 2025's Cy Young winner is already ranked with Ohtani, Sanchez and Skubal as the best pitcher in baseball.  And with Pittsburgh finally assembling a quality roster around him, he might be the player who leads an MLB renaissance in the Steel City.
(Unfortunately, I've yet to see him pitch in person.)

 

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