If Your Birthday is February 25th...

...you share it with Paul O'Neill, who flipped an invisible switch when the Reds traded him to the Yankees, elevating his game to become a vital cog in four World Series championships over nine New York seasons. Tenacious all-out play earned him the fans' affections, as well as the nickname The Warrior from George Steinbrenner. O'Neill's keen insights and dry wit have led to a just-as-successful second Yankee career as their lead analyst on TV. 

Jorge Soler, the Cuban expat slugger who, after struggling to earn an everyday job after signing with the Cubs, has developed into a steady middle-of-the-lineup presence since being traded to the Royals.

Ken Dayley is another example of a player who struggled with his original team, but flourished after being traded. The lefthander never caught on as a Braves a starting pitcher, but became a valued reliever on the Cardinals 1985 and '87 pennant winners.

Ed Lynch was a swingman on the pitching staffs of the Mets and Cubs during the 1980s. After his playing career ended, he earned a law degree and returned to the game as a scout, before serving as Cubs' GM from 1994-2000.

Cesar Cedeño arrived in the majors at age 19 with huge expectations. Showing huge promise when he joined the Astros in 1970, he then received a massive compliment when Leo Durocher, taking over as manager two years later, favorably compared him to a young Willie Mays. While Cedeño never quite reainjured.ched that level, he was a solid contributor with Houston during the '70s and the Reds during the early '80s. His final blaze of glory came during a sizzling stretch run with the '85 Cardinals, where he batted .434 and helped fill in when Jack Clark and Vince Coleman were injured. 

And we remember a pair of Hall of Famers:

Ron Santo, the brilliant 3rd baseman of the 1960s Cubs who waited far too long for induction in Cooperstown. This nine-time All Star and four-time Gold Glove winner was a constant along with Ernie Banks and Billy Williams as the Cubs returned to contention from 1967.

Monte Irvin, one of the greatest high school stars ever in New Jersey made his mark across the Hudson as the first Black player ever on the New York Giants. A star outfielder he mentored Willie Mays while finishing third for NL MVP in 1951. Yet his big league numbers could have even been greater -- his first nine pro seasons with with Newark of the Negro Leagues. After working in marketing with Rheingold Beer and scouting for the Mets, he joined the Commissioner's office. In 1974, he, not Bowie Kuhn, represented MLB when Hank Aaron became baseball's all time home run champ.

 






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