If Your Birthday is February 21st...

...you share it with a player who should have received stronger consideration for the Hall of Fame: the longtime Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell. The six-time All Star teamed with Lou Whitaker for one of the best and most durable middle infield combos of the last 50 years. Tramell hit a career. 285 with 185 home runs. Now a special assistant in Detroit's front office, I last saw him in spring training 2015, when he coached 1st base in an exhibition game.

Also sharing Alan's birthday on the 21st:

  • Franklin Gutierrez, the veteran outfielder who just joined the Dodgers as a free agent.
  • Joel Skinner, who like his father, enjoyed a good playing career followed by a short run as a manager (Bob replaced Gene Mauch with the Phillies in 1968 and later managed the Padres; Joel took over the Indians for part of the 2002 season).
  • Jack Billingham spent 13 years pitching in the majors, most notably for Cincinnati's Big Red Machine of the 1970s, including their pair of World Series champions.

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