If December 9th is your birthday...

You share it with Phillies coach Juan Samuel. The first player in major-league history to register double figures in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases in each of his first four full seasons, Samuel arrived in Philadelphia toward the end of the 1983 season to add some youthful spark to the eventual pennant-winning Wheeze Kids.
After coaching for the Tigers and Orioles, Samuel returned to Philadelphia in 2011. And he'll again be the club's 3rd base coach in 2014. Is Samuel the best player ever born on December 9th? You be the judge. 19th century Hall of Famer Joe Kelly is on the list -- but his numbers don't seem to scream Cooperstown. Tony Batista flashed a lot of power for the Blue Jays and Orioles -- his 221 home runs are the most of anyone born on this date. Who else jumps off the list? Del Unser... pitcher Doc Medich. Click on comment" share your opinion.

Comments

Anonymous said…
My favorite player with Dec. 9 birthday was Darold Knowles, long time lefty relief specialist. Especially notable for two things: First, he was the first pitcher to pitch in all 7 games of a World Series (Oak, 1973); that is strange because, thoughe he was on the A's for all three of their WS teams, he didn't pitch in any WS games in 1972 or in 1974. Second, all time leader in losses by a relief pitcher, record of 2-14 in 1970 with the Senators; this was especially notable since his ERA was 2.04 that year, so that might be a candidate for unluckiest season of all time.
December 11, 2013 at 2:37 PM
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