Happy Birthday–June 5

Jack Chesbro (1874)
Eddie Joost (1916)
Lou Brissie (1924)
Duke Sims (1941)
Bill Spiers (1966)
Ray Lankford (1967)
Mike Coolbaugh (1972)
Russ Ortiz (1974)

Prior to beginning his major league career, Lou Brissie served in World War II.  He suffered severe leg injuries, receiving the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, but overcame his injuries to spend seven years in the majors.

Mike Coolbaugh was the first base coach for the Tulsa Drillers when he was struck on the head with a line drive and killed.

There appear to be no major league players with connections to the Minnesota Twins born on this day.

2015 Game 53: Twins at Red Sox

The Twins have already won the season series, but hey, let's take one more from this supreme disappointment of a team (and division).

Tommy Milone vs. Steven Wright. Milone returned to the Twins today, as we suspected he might, and apparently the Sawks don't do well against lefties. Wright didn't make the majors until two years ago at age 29, so he has limited long-term potential, but is serviceable. His K rate has been pretty good at every stop, he makes a lot of deadpan jokes under his frizzy baldish afro, and he walks a few as well. He's thoroughly average in every other way I can see.

Alright, let's keep this unlikely season going.

Happy Birthday–June 4

Tim Murnane (1851)
Tony Venzon (1915)
Billy Hunter (1928)
John McNamara (1932)
Phil Linz (1939)
Terry Kennedy (1956)
Tony Pena (1957)
Kurt Stillwell (1965)
Rick Wilkins (1967)
Scott Servais (1967)
Darin Erstad (1974)
J. C. Romero (1976)

 Tim Murnane had a long and varied career in baseball, but is best remembered as a sportswriter in Boston.

Tony Venzon was a National League umpire from 1957-71.

John McNamara managed six different major league clubs, going to the World Series with Boston in 1986.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–June 4

Remodeled basement. Same half-baked taste.