If Your Birthday is February 11th...

...you share it with Dansby Swanson. 

The Braves shortstop has developed into one of the National League's best at this position. Always a good glove man, the Georgia native upped his power game in 2021 -- smacking a career-best 27 homers for the World Champs. While there's been plenty of buzz concerning whether or not Atlanta will re-sign Freddie Freeman, fans will be curious to see how the club deals with Swanson. He's a free agent a year from now.

Also on our cake and candles list:

Ben Oglivie, whose 16 big league seasons were highlighted by 1980 -- when he led the American League with 41 home runs.

We remember...

Sammy Ellis, the Reds righthander who won 22 games in 1965, but was never as effective again. He returned to the majors as a pitching coach for several clubs, including 1982-'84 and '86 with the Yankees.

"Downtown" Ollie Brown broke in alongside Willie Mays in the Giants outfield, before moving on to the expansion Padres, where he hit 20 and 25 homes in the franchise's first two seasons. Brown finished up his career as a backup on the Phillies division winners of 1976 and '77.

And... celebrating tomorrow...

Todd Frazier, the standout player on the 1998 Little League World Series winners from Toms River, New Jersey  who went onto an 11 year career in the majors, including time with both the Yankees and Mets. He hit 20 or more home runs five times, and had two other seasons with 19.
(In case you were curious, there have been 135 players who've seen action for both New York teams these past 60 seasons.)




 

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