Who was the best MLB player born on your birthday?
Feb. 6 (Babe Ruth) is the biggest
From the looks of it, Nov 15 (Gus Bell) has the lowest total.
over 2 years ago
berselius
117 comments
5 recs |
Comments
Barry Larkin - April 28th.
Not too bad. Gold Golver, All Star, one time NL MVP, World Series champion.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
My birthday is Feb. 6th-Babe Ruth!
Do I win a prize?
So by biggest, do you mean his WAR or his girth?
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
29 Devon White 1962 41.3
3x All-Star selection (1989, 1993, 1998)
3x World Series champion (1992, 1993, 1997)
7x Gold Glove Award winner (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
Did you know?
In Game 6 of the Series, White was one of the two runs that scored on Dave Winfield’s 11th-inning double to left field, which eventually won the World Championship for the Blue Jays.
Thanks Wikipedia.
Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue
Ed Lopat ????
Never heard of him.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
"Steady Eddie" Lopat was a terrific pitcher...
…one of the best lefties of his era, although he had a short career and, thus, didn’t pile up the career totals necessary to be an HOF candidate. He only reached the majors in ’44 because so many of the real players were off fighting the war and was one of the few such players to have a successful career after the war. As his nickname implies, he was really consistent, a guy that just never had an off-year even if he never had a truly dominant one. And he pitched really well in the World Series to top it all off. Without looking it up, I know that Bill James had him squarely among the top 100 pitchers of all-time…not a bad guy to share a birthday with.
"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko
by LaddieRenfroe on Oct 28, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I would rather I was born on April 14
Three guesses whose birthday that is. Actually I would not mind July 17, my first favorite Cub ( Kessinger) and my favorite actor ( Cagney) where born that day.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 28, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
my sisters birthday
is July 17 so we have known for a long time that she shares a birthday with one of our favorite players…Kessinger. While I am August 29 and the best I can do is Aaron Rowand and Doug DeCinces.
See the Cubs 2010 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Hmm... I'm smelling another book opportunity here - "Cubs By The Birthdays"
Get ’er done, guys!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Off the top of my head...
… best Cubs birthday: Feb. 25 (Ron Santo and Andy Pafko).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Jim Bunning
Not too shabby.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 28, 2009 2:02 PM CDT reply actions
The top Marx brother on that date is Gummo
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 28, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Ted Simmons
Former Cardinal and Brewer…hmmm
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Bob Gibson.
A Hall of Famer. Cool.
And nice idea for a topic, too. Thanks!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Buddy Myer
Lloyd Waner is in the HOF but he’s one of those guys that probably shouldn’t be in the Hall; Myer was a better player.
I’m hoping that Curtis Granderson can eventually surpass both those guys.
"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko
One of the best days to share a birthday with a baseball player is...
… January 31.
Three Hall of Famers were born on that day: Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks and Nolan Ryan.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Cool!
You’ve got something you can brag about.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
A lot, apparently!
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Cool!
You’ve got something you can brag about.
Ready 4 Revenge against The Traitor!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 30, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
My nephew was born that day this year...
of course Mom is a Cubs fan, but his father is a Tigers fan
"That’s what I love about my skip, man. He’ll tell you that you suck...I know I suck. We know we suck...Yeah, we suck. But we’ll see who sucks at the end."
- Gary Sheffield
by DrGalazkiewicz on Oct 29, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Hal Carlson
Waaaay back in 1892. Had I taken care of myself properly, I could have been the answer to my own question… but alas…. :(
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
Hal Carlson? That's a pretty unremarkable list if he's the best...
…a mediocre pitcher most notable for having suddenly died during the season. Here’s his obituary, perhaps the saddest event during one of the most disappointing of all Cub seasons.
At least you can root for Carlos Pena to have a few more productive seasons.
"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko
by LaddieRenfroe on Oct 28, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
That IS a sad story
On a more lighthearted note, if my name was Hazen, I’d probably go by Kiki, too.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 28, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Tony Oliva
Heinie Manush had the top WAR for players born on July 20, but Oliva was an 8-time all-star. I don’t remember when Oliva played, but I’ve heard he would have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer had it not been for horrific knee problems. I heard a lot about that when Kirby Puckett got into the Hall. Both Oliva and Puckett could have had longer careers had it not been for health problems. Puckett made it to the Hall, and Oliva hasn’t. I wish Puckett could have had a longer life.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Jeff Fucking Kent....
sorry…..that just pisses me off for some reason.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
Manny Ramirez, 5/29
Mehhhh. What I like though is John F. Kennedy…. and Bob Hope
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
Man, I have a bad baseball birthday.
Henry Larkin ain’t bad, but the rest of the list has names like Bobby Crosby, Luis Ayala, Dontrelle Willis, and Scott Olsen. I feel it’s my duty as a fan to end my dream of playing for the Cubs- that way we’ll have one less sucky player.
Moreover, I share a birthday with Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern. Perhaps I should go for the shock and awe radio career?
Matt Williams works for me
He had some great years in with SF and AZ and was always nice enough to “contribute” to my baseball collection whenever he was in town. Also played a year with the Indians to boot!
But my NFL birthday worked out much better for me – my favorite player, Hall-of-Famer Paul Warfield of the Browns & Dolphins. I try to forget about that little WFL stunt he pulled with Csonka and Kiick…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
The Old Football Memphis Grizzlies
I’m too young to remember the old Memphis Grizzlies (aka Southmen) of the World Football League. Csonka, Kiick, and Warfield played for them in 1975 for half a season before the league folded.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
You do realize that #39 was/is a little...ahem...light in his loafers
Not that there is anything wrong with that…
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Not too bad for me... Al Kaline
Also, Ford Frick.
The also-rans include Russell Branyan and Rafael Soriano.
What a great topic while watching the snow pile up, waiting for the WS to start, and pining for the hot stove’s fire to get lit…
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Mine too - September 15
Thanks goodness he was there, because after that it drops significantly to someone named Fritz Ostermueller who had a sterling record of 114-115 pitching for the Red Sox, Browns, Dodgers and Pirates in 15 seasons from 1934-1948
Now the NFL would give us
Merlin Olsen and Dan Marino…pretty darn good. Others include a bad US president (William Howard Taft), a famous explorer (Marco Polo), and the rebellious Prince Harry (third in line for the British throne).
Taft's brother owned the Cubs in the early 20th century
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 2, 2009 12:47 PM CST up reply actions
Lance Berkman,
not bad.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
as long as it's sunny outside
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 28, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Hall of Famer Bill Dickey
June 6
Too bad he’s a freakin’ Yankee. Also the same birthday as one of my favorite actors Paul Giamatti.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
Larry Andersen too!!
Not a birthday, but Kerry Wood’s 20 strikeout game. That was a nice birthday present!!
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana (1863-1952)
Kerry Wood
Was born on my birthday (although ten years later)
Kevin Gregg is the Mother F'n Anti-christ!
November 26 - Chuck Finley
I must confess, I’m not too familiar with his story. Looks like he was an almost-career Angel (finished with two seasons in Cleveland). Quite the workhorse, too – a bunch of 200+ IP seasons and a 115 ERA+ in 17 seasons. Oh, and a lefty – the Ted Lilly of his time, perhaps?
Man, I missed Joe DiMaggio by one day.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I'm surprised you don't know Finley
He was married to Tawny Kitaen, who was allegedly abusive to him. There was a big stink when the White Sox played Whitesnake over the P.A. when he was on the mound – I think someone got fired for that. (They should – he was ridiculed for doing the right thing – not hitting a woman even after she hit him.)
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Ohhhhhhhh yeah - THAT guy.
His name did sound familiar, just didn’t make the connection. I didn’t really follow baseball in the 90s, but I did hear about the Tawny Kitaen incident. And I’d never heard that Whitesnake story. Pretty twisted.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
We also got Indian Bob going for us...
Robert Lee Johnson (November 26, 1905 – July 6, 1982), nicknamed “Indian Bob”, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for three American League teams from 1933 to 1945, primarily the Philadelphia Athletics. He was the fifth player to have nine consecutive seasons of 20 or more home runs, and his 288 career HRs ranked eighth in major league history when he retired. Usually playing on inferior teams, he batted .300 five times, had eight seasons with 100 runs batted in, and finished his career among the AL’s top five right-handed hitters in career RBI (1283), runs (1239), slugging average (.506), total bases (3501) and walks (1075). He held the Athletics franchise record for career runs from 1942 to 1993. He also ranked among the AL leaders in games in left field (3rd, 1592) and outfield putouts (10th, 4003) and assists (8th, 208) when his career ended. His older brother Roy was a major league outfielder from 1929-38.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Johnson_%28outfielder%29
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Bucketfoot.
From baseball-reference.com:
“Bucketfoot Al” was the picture of consistency during his 20 year Major League Career. Fastest in MLB history to 2,000 hits (1,390 games). Six 200 hit seasons. Twelve 100 RBI seasons.
He made four postseason appearances in the late 20s and 30s. Two WS wins, two losses. One of the wins was in 1927 while with Philly. One guess who they beat that year…
Also, my birthday (May 22) includes Tommy John and Julian Tavarez. Two out of three ain’t bad.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
1929 World Series, not 27
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Oct 29, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Ichiro came real close to breaking that "fastest to 2000 hits" mark.
He got his 2000th hit last September in his 1402nd game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Right on, did not realize that.
Upon further reading, Bucketfoot Al scored the game winning run in the series clinching game 5 of the 29 Series.
Will I be banned for sharing a birthday with him?
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Oct 29, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Makes 3 of us...
I’ll just go off the board and pick Joe Oliver. Or skip baseball and take Karl Malone, Kevin Butler, Lynda Carter, Kramer from Seinfeld, J. Lo…
Hall of Famer Rod Carew.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Oct 29, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
He converted
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
by DTJchris on Oct 29, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
WAHH-HOO! I'M GONNA WIN!
SEPTEMBER 18
RYNE SANDBERG
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
You might think so but if you had only been paying attention Sunday nights for the last several years...
…you’d realize that whoever has September 19 is going to do you one better – literally (on the calendar) and figuratively (on the field).
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
already knew w/o looking
Mark Grace, June 28.
Derek Jeter
Don’t like the guy, but he’s a great player.
According to Wikipedia, Michael Vick was also shares my birthday..WTF!!!
Can someone please explain how to edit posts...
cuz I’m a human typo machine.
The Preview button is your friend...
…because you can’t edit a comment once you’ve posted it.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
April 30
Slim pickings for baseball players with my birthday… the best one overall is Charley Jones, a deadball-era OF whose career peaked 100 years before I was born. The only modern player of any significance born on 4/30 is Phil Garner. There’s also a pretty interesting one in Walt Walsh – who played in 2 games for the ’20 Phillies but never pitched, played in the field, or came to the plate. Strange.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
Lol
Pat Listach, Sean Burroughs… September 12th.
Can't wait for the Cubs in '08!!!
Zambrano's no-no was on my birthday (September 14)
and I was there……best birthday present ever and that beats any player and I sharing a birthday
"Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar-tissue." -George F. Will
by In Piniella We Trustiella on Oct 29, 2009 9:16 PM CDT reply actions
Karl Pagel -- March 29
lol. Pagel was the original insanely ridiculously way overhyped “can’t miss” Cubbie prospect. He was annointed the next Dave Kingman. He utterly sucked at making contact with a baseball. And his defense in left field made Dave Kingman seem like Roberto Clemente.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Greg Luzinski - Nov. 22
or actually maybe Lew Burdette, but he’s before my time
"That’s what I love about my skip, man. He’ll tell you that you suck...I know I suck. We know we suck...Yeah, we suck. But we’ll see who sucks at the end."
- Gary Sheffield
by DrGalazkiewicz on Oct 29, 2009 10:45 PM CDT reply actions
not born on my birthday
but Kerry Wood threw a 20 strike out game on my birthday in 1998.
It's not about money. It's about winning and getting over the hump. We've had the appetizer now, but we left the main course on the table.
-rod beck
Oddballs
I have a few different guys on mine. Van Lingle Mungo, Eddie Gaedel, and former Sox Britt Burns.
"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields
Hmm ... September 11.
Ellis Burks? Never heard of him.
Thought I’d get Eduardo Perez (also born September 11).
Please, no mention of what happened in 2001!
Ready 4 Revenge against The Traitor!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 30, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions
Just looked him up.
My gosh, I need a history lesson.
Ready 4 Revenge against The Traitor!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 30, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Burks holds the record for "most ballparks homered in"
According to bb-ref, he hit home runs in fourty-six different stadiums in his career.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
Er, correction
41 stadiums, not 46. Counting fail on my part. That may still be the record, though.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
july 10th
andre dawson.
awesome!
also born that day: arlo guthrie, jessica simpson, nikolai tesla, and [They Might Be Giants drummer] marty beller.
According to that link
The best player born on my birthday was Joe Judge, who was one of the best third basemen in the game before World War II.
Tip O’Neill was a great 19th Century player who was the namesake of a later Speaker of the House.
Bob Knepper was the best pitcher.
The best current player is Jason Kubel.
Dave Hollins and Bill Haselman and I were all born on exactly the same day.
This is freaking me out!
My son named after Ryne Sandberg was born on Mordecai Brown’s birthday. His daughter was born on Ryne Sandberg’s birthday. Cosmic!
She's not named Mordecai, is she?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 31, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Congrats
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 31, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Robert Lee Johnson ("Indian Bob")
I suppose…
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Harold Craig Reynolds
Same day, same month, same year…
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Frank Sullivan
Meh. A decent pitcher who had a few good seasons with the BoSox in the 50s. To complete the trifecta, I can also add Jeff Samardzija and Joey Amalfitano. Maybe in 20 years I can say, I share my birthday with 300-game winner, Jeff Samardzija! Then again…
But I do share the day with the pilot who landed his plane in the Hudson River, so I got that going for me. Which is nice.
"Any old kind of run wins it!"--Jack Brickhouse
by MannyTrilloFlipsTo1B on Oct 31, 2009 3:44 PM CDT reply actions
Lou Gehrig..YAY!
June 19th
Guy at bar: "Do you just like that hat or do you like Chicago?"
Me: "I'm in Love, Obsessed and Addicted to the Chicago Cubs!"
Unfortunately
Seems Adam LaRoche is the best that shares Nov. 6 with me.
My condolences to anyone born on June 3
You get Carl ( “There were no dinosaurs”) Everett. . That might be as low it goes.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
June 16
Kerry Wood
And I was sorry to see him leave..although he did not have a good year with the Indians who is to say he would not have been better than Keven “the antichrist” Gregg?
Kevin Gregg is the Mother F'n Anti-christ!
Wally Pipp, according to the link
I could have also chosen from Roger Craig or Josh Willingham. Yeah, I’m gonna stick with Pipp.
None of the baseball players touches the most famous athlete born on February 17, though, unless Brian Bruney can one day become as great as Michael Jordan.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
November 20
Clark Griffith (1869)
Yow. Now I can tell Dad was I was never an MLB player. It wasn’t in the cards, birthdate-wise.
Joe DiMaggio - November 25
I’ve actually known that since I was about 5 – I think I had a “What players have your birthday?” calendar.
Joltin’ Joe, the Bush twins, Khan, Ricardo Montalban, JFK Jr., John Laroquette, Christina Applegate, and Donovan McNabb.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
January 17
According to the link, Darrell Porter.
I don’t know much about him, his last season was the year I was born.
Outside of baseball, I share my birthday with Benjamin Franklin, James Earl Jones, Al Capone, Muhammad Ali, and Michelle Obama.
My dog's name is Wrigley... What else can I say?
October 31st
Fred McGriff
Fail.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Nov 3, 2009 10:14 PM CST reply actions
McGriff has a ring.
And he endorses the Best Video of All Time!

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I'm still waiting for the sequel
When they show you the proper way to bend the bill of a cap.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 4, 2009 9:09 AM CST up reply actions
Frank "Home Run" Baker - March 13th
Arguably the best pre-war 3rd baseman ever….and I play 3rd base on my softball team…coincidence?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 4, 2009 12:56 PM CST reply actions
Are you John Connor?
![]()
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
I Got Screwed
I only have some little known Royal born on my birthday, May 15th.
George Brett :)
Maybe John Smoltz, Josh Beckett or Justin Morneau will join him in the Hall of Fame someday …
Cool post BTW.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
I THINK I WIN...
BABE RUTH.
FEB. 6.
along with BOB MARLEY
Go Cubs. Go Irish.
"I was in awe every time I walked on to the field." -- Ryne Sandberg
"No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more, or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen." -- Ryno



















