Category Archives: Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–September 12

Nick Young (1840)
Bob Groom (1884)
Fred Luderus (1885)
Spud Chandler (1907)
Charlie Keller (1916)
Andy Seminick (1920)
Stan Lopata (1925)
Albie Pearson (1934)
Mickey Lolich (1940)
John Montague (1947)
Scotti Madison (1959)
Thom Brennaman (1963)
Keith Hughes (1963)
Luis Castillo (1975)
Sean Burroughs (1980)
Carmen Pignatiello (1982)

Nick Young was the secretary of the National Association, was the first secretary of the National League and was National League president from 1881-1903.

The son of broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Thom Brennaman has broadcast games for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Fox Network.

We would also like to wish a happy birthday to CarterHayes.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–September 12

Happy Birthday–September 11

Con Daily (1864)
James Dunn (1866)
Steve Brodie (1868)
Frank Kitson (1869)
Ellis Clary (1916)
Eddie Miksis (1926)
Luis Garcia (1929)
Jackie Hernandez (1940)
Larry Bearnarth (1941)
Dave Roberts (1944)
Larry Cox (1947)
Jeff Newman (1948)
Brad Lesley (1958)
Scott Patterson (1958)
Don Slaught (1958)
Ellis Burks (1964)
Quinn Mack (1965)
Eduardo Perez (1969)
Toby Gardenhire (1982)

James Dunn was the owner of the Cleveland Indians from 1916-1922.

Luis Garcia is a member of both the Venezuelan Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Hall of Fame.

Infielder Ellis Clary was a scout for the Twins for over two decades.

Actor Scott Patterson, best known for his role on The Gilmore Girls, was a minor league pitcher for seven seasons, pitching 373 AAA innings but not reaching the majors. He was in the Yankees and Braves systems.

Quinn Mack is Shane Mack’s brother and got 21 at-bats with Seattle in 1994.

Brad "the Animal" Lesley was drafted by the Twins in seventh round in the 1977 January draft, but did not sign.

Toby Gardenhire, of course, is the son of the current Twins’ manager.  He was a player in the Twins’ minor league system, reaching AAA, and is currently the baseball coach of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

We also want to wish a very happy birthday to Rhubarb_Runner.

Additionally, it seems appropriate on this day to mention former minor league players Marty Boryczewski and Brent Woodall, both of whom were killed in the terrorist attacks of 2001.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–September 11

Happy Birthday–September 9

Abner Dalrymple (1857)
Frank Chance (1876)
Dots Miller (1886)
Doc Johnston (1887)
Frankie Frisch (1898)
Waite Hoyt (1899)
Hugh Mulcahy (1913)
Jay Ward (1938)
Paul Roof (1942)
Jerry Mumphrey (1952)
Tom Foley (1959)
Alvin Davis (1960)
Jim Corsi (1961)
Todd Zeile (1965)
Joey Hamilton (1970)
Dan Miceli (1970)
Mike Hampton (1972)
Edwin Jackson (1983)
Alex Romero (1983)

Dots Miller’s given name was John.  He got the nickname “Dots” because when he first came up, a sportswriter asked teammate Honus Wagner who the new guy was.  Wagner, in his thick German accent, said, “Ach, dot’s Miller.”

Hugh Mulcahy has one of the worst nicknames in the history of baseball.  In four seasons as a starting pitcher for the Phillies, he twice led the league in losses.  He went 45-89 for his career, leading to the nickname “Losing Pitcher Mulcahy”.

The brother of Phil Roof, Paul Roof was a pitcher for four seasons in the Braves’ system, never going higher than Class A.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–September 9

Happy Birthday–September 8

Val Picinich (1896)
Buck Leonard (1907)
Jim Bagby (1916)
Steve Hargan (1942)
Ken Forsch (1946)
Don Aase (1954)
Mike Dyer (1966)
Gil Meche (1978)
Rob Delaney (1984)

First baseman Buck Leonard was a star in the Negro Leagues.  He was a teammate of Josh Gibson on the Homestead Grays, and was considered the Lou Gehrig to Gibson's Babe Ruth.

We would also like to wish a happy birthday to Rhubarb_Runner’s father.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–September 8