If Your Birthday is January 23rd...

...you share it with Cubs shortstop Addison Russell. Turning 24 today and already with three full seasons under his belt, the Florida native's best season was 2016 when he belted 21 home runs for the club that ended that 108-year streak without a title. He made his mark in World Series, too: his grand slam in game six was the first in baseball's fall classic since 2005 -- ironically hit by another Chicago player, Paul Konerko of the White Sox.

Also in today's cake and candles parade:


  • Joe Amalfitano, a onetime "bonus baby" for the New York Giants who never became a star, but went on to play in parts of 10 major league seasons. His best year came with the 1964 Cubs. He then spent 30 years as a coach, including a 2-1/2 year run managing at Wrigley.
  • Erubiel Durazo, the power-hitting 1st baseman from Mexico who split his big league career between the Diamondback and A's. His 94 career home runs are the most for anyone born on January 23rd. These days, he works as a special advisor to Arizona's club president Derrick Hall.
  • And remembering the late Chico Carrasquel, the first of baseball's outstanding Venezuelan shortstops. His made history in 1951, as the first player from Latin America to start an All Star game. And his 1325 games are the most for any player born on this date.

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