If Your Birthday is April 28th...

...you share it with Scott Kingery. The Phillies breakthrough prospect in 2018; signed a six-year $24 million contract before ever playing a game in the majors. Still, he seemed ready, versatile in the field and skilled at-bat -- until his offensive numbers began to drop. Tinkering didn't help with his swing; after he aimed for more power, his numbers fell off the table the last two years, accompanied by back and shoulder injuries. This year, he'll play at AAA Lehigh Valley trying to recapture his old form.

Ron Washington symbolizes what a "baseball lifer" means. A shortstop with the 1980s Twins, he managed the Texas Rangers to a pair of American League pennants. A well respected coach known for his expertise in preparing infielders, Washington now mans the third base box for the Braves.
Jose Peraza spent four years as a Reds infielder, and was a handy fill-in last spring for the Mets after they were hit by a wave of injuries. After failing to make the Yankees bench in spring training, he's now at their top farm club, Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

Capping today's roster, the first Venezuelan elected to the Hall of Fame. Luis Aparicio played 10 of his 18 major league seasons at the original Comiskey Park -- noted for its colorful "exploding scoreboard.
The speedy, slick fielding shortstop was the 1956 American League Rookie of the Year -- the first of nine straight seasons where he led the AL in stolen bases. Aparicio also earned nine gold gloves en route to Cooperstown. Along with starring for the 1959 pennant winning "Go-Go Sox," the Maracaibo native was the Orioles regular shortstop on their 1966 World Series champs. A happy 88th to the man whose number-11 has been retired by the Sox.




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