1968 – Second baseman Roberto Alomar is born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the son of major league IF Sandy Alomar. One of the best fielders ever at the position, he will also be a top hitter, with 9 seasons with a .300 average, and 6 with 100 or more runs scored. He will be a key part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ back-to-back World Series-winning teams in 1992 and 1993 and will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011.
1965 – Greg Swindell is born in Fort Worth, TX. Signed to a big free agent contract, the lefthander has a disappointing stint in Houston from 1993 to 1996, going 30-34 with a 4.48 ERA.
On July 24, 1964, future major league star Barry Bonds is born in Riverside, California. The son of Bobby Bonds, Barry will make his debut in 1986 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will win MVP awards in 1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002,2003 and 2004. Bonds will become the all-time homer leader with 762. According to…
September 10, 1963 Hall of famer Randy Johnson was born in Walnut Creek, CA. He lived in California through his college years and was a teammate at USC of Mark McGwire. Nicknamed “The Big Unit,” he is one of the best left handers in baseball history. Johnson was a 10X All-Star, won 5 Cy Young…
Craig Shipley is born in Parramatta, Australia. The utility infielder bats .263 in 1995, his lone season as an Astro.
On May 9, 1960, future San Diego Padres star Tony Gwynn is born in Los Angeles. Gwynn will make his major league debut in 1982, and go on to win eight batting titles, collect 3000 hits, play his entire career in San Diego and make it into the Hall of Fame.
On March 14, 1960, future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett is born in Chicago, Illinois. Puckett will make his major league debut in 1984, when he hits .296 for the Minnesota Twins. Over a 12-year career, Puckett will bat .318 with 207 home runs and 1,085 RBIs, helping the Twins to two World Championships. He…
1960 – Roland Americo “Buddy” Biancalana is born in Greenbrae, CA. A career .205 hitter who bats .042 during his 18 games as an Astro in 1987, Buddy gains notoriety as the butt of David Letterman jokes.
Julio Solano is born in Agua Blanca, DR. The pitcher would spend his first five big league seasons with the Astros followed by two years in Seattle.
1959 – Bill Gullickson is born in Marshall, MN. The righthander goes 10-14 as a Houston starter in 1990, part of his 14 big league seasons but he is gone to Detroit the next year as the Astros tighten their belts.
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