If Your Birthday is June 30th...

...you share it with Trea Turner.  One of baseball's best all-around shortstops, he signed a massive 11 year contract with the Phillies last winter, where he rejoined his former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper.  After a slow start, his bat has come alive this month, as the Phils battle for another Wild Card and trip to the post-season.

Below:  Cody Ashe had a pair of productive seasons as the Phillies 3rd baseman (2014-'15) until the club decided that Maikel Franco was a better long-term option.  The suburban St. Louis native finished his big league career with the White Sox then spent several years in the minors before going into coaching. 

  • Today's parade of birthdays also "pheatures" another Phillie.  Though to be honest, Chan Ho Park is far better known for his nine years with the Dodgers.  The first Korean pitcher to enjoy success in the US, he spent 2009 with the Phils, near the end of a career where he posted a 124-98 record over 17 seasons.
  • Garrett Anderson also played 17 years in the majors -- the first 15 as a very productive outfielder for the Angels.
  • Ron Swoboda came up as a Mets rookie under Casey Stengel and remained with the club as it shed its lovable losers image.  His career highlight came in game four of the 1969 World Series.  Ron's remarkable diving catch of Brooks Robinson's line drive helped preserve the club's victory; not surprising, Here's the Catch was the title of his memoir, printed in 2019.


 

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