If Your Birthday is April 21st...

 ..you share it with the pitcher who appeared in more major league games than anyone in history. Jesse Orosco took the mound 1252 times over 24 seasons in four decades. 

Best known as a Met, where he nailed down the last out in game seven of the 1986 World Series, Jesse is also in that select circle who've played for both New York teams -- although his 15-game Yankee stint in 2003 produced forgettable results (including an ERA over 10).  Jesse shares his birthday with one of today's most effective closers:

Jordan Romano has emerged as the best of the Blue Jays' late-inning arms.  He saved 36 games last season when he was named to his first All Star team.

Zack Godley won 15 games for the 2018 Diamondbacks -- while leading the NL in hit batters and wild pitches. After struggling for Arizona, and having brief runs with Toronto, Boston, and Milwaukee, his career appears to have ended. 

Joc Pederson, the northern California native who provided power to the Dodgers for six and half seasons and now plays for their cross-state rivals, the Giants.  He entered 2023 with 171 career homers.


Also on today's cake and candles list:


Jeff Keppinger was the moving van's best friend. The hard-to-strike out infielder appeared for seven different teams in his nine season career.

Al Bumbry's best season was his first: the Orioles' 1973 American League Rookie of the Year batted .337 and led the AL in doubles. Speed was a big part of his game. He twice stole more than 40 bases, and swiped 37 in 1979, when Baltimore won the pennant. On a date with no Hall of Fame inductees, it's fair to call Bumbry the best player born on April 21st -- or at least have him share the honor with Jesse Orosco.

Randy Sterling pitched seven years in the Mets farm system, but only made three appearances for the parent club -- all in September 1974.  The Key West, Florida native's lone win came in his big league debut against the Expos.

And we remember:

Gary Peters was an effective lefty pitcher on some strong 1960s White Sox teams -- winning 20 games in 1964. The best hitting hurler of his time, he hit a career .222 with 19 homers.

Ken Caminiti, a talented 3rd baseman with the Astros and Padres -- where he won the 1996 NL MVP -- but whose career was derailed by self-admitted alcohol and cocaine abuse and clouded by his use of steroids. He died of an overdose in 2004.

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