Happy December 18th Baseball Birthday to TY COBB

Tyrus Raymond Cobb was born on this day in 1886. Today would have been his 130th birthday.

Reciting all his accomplishments is like citing the history of baseball. He holds the record for best career batting average at .367, all time record for leading the American League in batting, 1911 MVP and so much more.

The feisty (that's a nice politically correct way to say it) Georgia Peach was rough and tumble as they come. He played for the Tigers for twenty two years, several as the player-manager. He ended his career with the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1999, The Sporting News named him the third greatest player of all-time. Many regard him as the greatest of all-time.

In honor of his birthday, here are two all-time great Ty Cobb quotes.

 

"They were all against me, but I beat the bastards and left them in the dirt."
--Ty Cobb

"That's easy. You take a gun and shoot him."
--Ring Lardner, sports columnist, on how you stopped Ty Cobb from getting on base.

Lots more at www.baseballquotations.com

December 17th Happy Baseball Birthday Quote to CHASE UTLEY

Chase Utley was born this day in 1978.  Utley is the ultimate professional ball player even though as a Mets fan, I am still upset about the Ruben Tejada slide. Yet, I am still enough of a fan of the game to respect his work ethic and his clutch play.

From 2003--2015, Utley was virtually the everyday second baseman for the Phillies. You just put him in the lineup every day and he produced to all star level status on a yearly basis. Utley signed with the Dodgers during the 2015 season and was with the team for all of 2016.

He is a six time all-star and four time Silver Slugger. Sports Illustrated chose him as the second baseman of the all-decade team from 2000-2010.

For all these great accomplishments, Utley is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day. Lots more Utley quotes at www.baseballquotations.com

"He's ferocious. When he shows up, he means business. There is no joking around. That's why he's go great."
--Greg Dobbs

MIKE FLANAGAN---DECEMBER 16TH BASEBALL BIRTHDAY QUOTE OF THE DAY

Former Cy Young Award winner Mike Flanagan was born on December 16th, 1951.

Flanagan was known mostly for his terrific career with the Orioles, though he did play for several seasons with the Blue Jays. Among his accomplishments was being named the 1979 Cy Young Award Winner. He was also an all-star in 1978. His career record in 18 years was 167-143.

Besides being a top notch pitcher, Flanagan also had a great sense of humor which is on display today as the recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"None, really, but I never pitch well on days the play the National Anthem."
--Mike Flanagan, asked if he had any superstitions

Haywood Sullivan--Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day

Former major league catcher and Red Sox part owner, Haywood Sullivan was born on this day in 1930.

Sullivan was a catcher mostly with the Red Sox. He played several seasons. He served the United States during the Korean War--losing several years of playing time. From 1978--1993, he was a part owner of the Red Sox. He also drafted his son Marc in the second round of the 1979 draft which led to the baseball birthday quote of the day.

"He better be a better hitter than his father or he's out of work."
--Haywood Sullivan, on the Red Sox drafting his son Marc in the second round of the 1979 Baseball Draft.

Postscript--His son hit .186 in parts of five major league seasons

Craig Biggio---December 14th--Birthday Quote of the Day

Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. He was born on December 14th, 1965. He played his entire career with the Astros from 1988--2007.

Over that time, he played in seven All-Star games, won four Gold Glove Awards and five Silver Slugger Awards. His career batting average was .281 and he had 3060 hits. Having seen him play in many games over his career, he is what people would call 'old school'. Hustled out every play and never cared about getting his uniform dirty

The Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day goes to Hall of Famer Craig Biggio,

"His name has never been linked to performance enhancing drugs, but I know two things he tested positive for--hustle and dirt."
--Dave Schoenfeld, talking about Craig Biggio

Happy December 13th Birthday to Brooklyn Dodger's Carl Erskine

Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine was born on this day in 1926. Oisk played his whole career for the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then ending his career in Los Angeles.

He played from 1948-59 and was a World Series champion in 1955. Other highlights included two no hitters, a 1954 All-Star appearance, a twenty game winner and holding the record for almost a decade of the most strikeouts in a World Series game with 14 in 1953.

According to all account, Erskine was a very good guy, loved by teammates and respected by opponents.

In honor of his birthday, Carl 'Oisk' Erskine gets the baseball birthday quote of the day

"Carl was sneaky fast. His fast ball didn't look that fast, but it sneaked up on you. He combined that with an excellent over hand curve."
--Duke Snider

December 12th Baseball Birthday Quote---Ralph Garr

Ralph Garr was born today, December 12th in 1945. He played for the Braves from 1968-75 before being traded to the White Sox.

Garr, nicknamed The Road Runner, was a hell of a hitter. He also had great speed. He was a lifetime .306 hitter and led the National League in batting in 1974 with a .353 average.

He loved to swing at anything and had very little patience at the plate.

Garr said of himself,

"I was a ball hitter. If I saw the ball I hit it. If I didn't see it, I didn't hit it."

Happy 71st Birthday, Ralph Garr

December 11--Happy Baseball Birthday Quote to Old Hoss Radbourn

Bet when you woke up this morning, you said, I could really go for an Old Hoss Radbourne Quote today.

Well your wish has been granted. Hall of Famer, Charles, 'Old Hoss' Radbourn, was born on December 11th, 1854. Old Hoss played for several teams starting with the Buffalo Bisons and ending up with the Red Sox and Reds.

Had a great career, but his highlight was the 1884 season. If Cy Young was pitching back then, he would have won the Cy Young Award.  He had a 1.38 ERA, with 59 wins (and this was before expansion) but even more impressively, he pitched 678 innings that year. Even after a year like that, he never had to have Tommy John surgery.

In honor of the 160th birthday of Old Hoss Radbourn, he gets our baseball birthday quote of the day

"He could throw the ball where he wanted to, and that's just what the batsman did not want it, for no other pitcher had the weaknesses of the batsmen who faced him down to a finger point like 'Old Rad.'
--Frank Bancroft

December 10th--Baseball Birthday Quote--Wil Myers

Happy Birthday to one of the young stars of baseball, Wil Myers. The Padres Myers http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=sd turned 26 today.

Myers was the 2013 Rookie of the Year while with the Rays. www.tampabayrays  The last few years he had a series of injuries that slowed him down, but in 2016 he came back with a vengeance, driving in 94 runs and hitting 28 home runs with the Padres.

Who can forget the huge reception he had at Petco Park for the 2016 Home Run Derby http://www.sporttechie.com/2016/12/08/virtual-reality/first-ever-mlb-vr-game-released-with-home-run-derby/

Given his growing potential, Myers is the recipient of the baseball birthday quote of the day.

"Wil has the chance to be in the middle of a major league lineup for a long time."
--Andrew Friedman

Happy Baseball Birthday Quote--Darold Knowles

Long time relief pitcher Darold Knowles was born December 9th, 1941.    http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/birthdays.cgi?month=12&day=9 He was a consistently good relief pitcher over his career. Highlights include an all-star appearance with the 1969 Washington Senators and three World Championships in a row with the Oakland A's. This included appearances in all seven games of the 1973 World Series where he did not give up a run. As a Mets fan, why am I reminding myself about that.

Back when he played for the Senators, his manager was a pretty decent ballplayer by the name of Ted Williams. What he said about Knowles makes this the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"Darold Knowles is the best relief pitcher in baseball."
--Ted Williams

www.baseballquotations.com

Josh Donaldson--Birthday Quote of the Day

Happy 31th birthday to 2015 American League, MVP Josh Donaldson. The Blue Jay's Donaldson has transformed himself over the last few years to become one of the top player's in baseball. After winning the 2015 MVP Award, he also put together great numbers in 2016.

As he just turned 31 today, he has many great years ahead of him. Manager John Gibbons is very excited to have him as an integral part of the Blue Jays team as reflected by the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"He's a guy that never stops pushing, pushing and never takes an inning off."
--John Gibbons, talking about Josh Donaldson

Bo Belinsky--Happy Birthday Quote of the Day

Among the baseball players born on December 6th was Robert "Bo" Belinsky. Belinsky was one of the great baseball characters of the early to mid 60's. He had a playboy image that he played up tremendously plus he was gifted with a great sense of humor.

Unfortunately his on field game was nothing like his off field game. His career record was 28 and 51. He played for the original California Angels and his greatest accomplishment was pitching a no-hitter in his rookie year.

After pitching a no--hitter, Belinsky said,

"If I had known I was gonna pitch a no-hitter, I would have gotten a haircut"

Happy Baseball Birthday Quote--Jocko Conlan---One of the Greatest Quotes of All-Time

Jocko Conlan, a Hall of Fame Baseball Umpire, was born on December 6th.

Besides being an all-time great umpire, he has provided one of the all-time funniest quotes in baseball history.

 

 

"No, I wanted to dedicate it to Bill Klem, the greatest umpire who ever lived. What the hell does my wife know about baseball?"

--Jocko Conlan, asked if was going to dedicate his autobiography to his wife

 

www.baseballquotations.com

Happy Baseball Birthday in Quotes to Christian Yelich

December 5th is the 25th birthday of Marlins young star, Christian Yelich. After being drafted by the Marlins in the first round of the 2010 draft, there were high expectations for Yelich.

He has clearly met those expectations and more with a Gold Glove in 2014 and a Silver Slugger award in 2016 culminating with a .298 batting average and 98 ribbies.

For this great play at a young age, he has won the coveted Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day. baseballquotations.com

"We've said it many times. I think that one day he has a chance to be a batting champion himself. He's a pure hitter."
--Dan Jennings, talking about Yelich

Happy Baseball Birthday in Quotes to Harvey Kuenn

December 4th birthday baseball quote of the day goes to Harvey Kuenn. Talk about an underrated star. Check out some of his credentials--- Career batting average of .303. He led the American League in hitting in 1959 with a .353 batting average. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1953 and a ten time all-star.

On top of that, in his brief stint as a manager, he led the Brewers to their only World Series appearance. His team was known as 'Harvey's Wallbangers' with the likes of Robin Yount, Gorman Thomas and Cecil Cooper leading this offensive juggernaut. I hope the veterans committee takes Kuenn seriously for the Hall of Fame.

He is also famous for being involved in one of the most controversial trades in baseball history. After leading the league in hitting in 1959, he was traded from the Tigers to the Indians, for Rocky Colavito who led the league in home runs in 1959. While Kuenn was a great player and a great guy, Colavito and his power were loved in Cleveland. Took years for the Indians to get over the deal.

Kuenn is also the answer to a trivia question. In Sandy Koufax's four no-hitters, Kuenn was responsible for two of the final outs.

For his long storied career, Harvey Kuenn still may not have been voted into the Hall of Fame, but he has been the recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day for December 4th.

"If this guy was hurt, his team might be hurt, but the pitching all over the league will improve."
--Casey Stengel, on an injured Harvey Kuenn

Happy Baseball Birthday in Quotes to Clay Dalrymple

So I am all excited since I have started this blog about the birth of famous baseball players on December 3rd. It is my birthday so I was hoping to see some big names. Well, I guess Clay Dalrymple is a big name---lots of letters. But hardly a star. Turns out December 3rd was not a big birthday for baseball stars.

Nevertheless, Dalrymple was a terrific defensive catcher, who over the course of his long career, threw out almost fifty percent of runners trying to steal. He spent his career with two teams--the Phillies and the Orioles.

The quotes comes from his Phillies Manager, Gene Mauch

"I never had a better catcher than this guy at nurturing pitchers through the first few innings until they find their stuff."
--Gene Mauch, on Clay Dalrymple.

Happy Baseball Birthday in Quotes to Gary Sanchez

Yankee phenom Gary Sanchez has his birthday today. Much has been written about the start of his MLB career. Few quotes about him were better than the one posted below by Mark Teixeria.

Baseball Birthday Quote: Gary Sanchez

"Shoot, if Babe Ruth is hitting behind him, you'd intentionally walk him."
--Mark Teixeria, asked if he was offended that Gary Sanchez was intentionally walked to face Teixeria

Happy Birthday Quote of the Day Javier Baez

December 1st is the birthday of one of the most exciting young stars in baseball, Javier Baez, who turned 24.

In the post season Baez shined both offensively and defensively. Some of his plays at second base were nothing short of incredible. He is going to be a star for years to come and is well deserving of the baseball birthday quote of the day--an award even more prestigious than his 2016 NLCS Co-MVP Award.

"He swings with violent intentions."
--Theo Epstein, on Javier Baez

www.baseballquotations.com

Happy Birthday Quote of the Day to Bo Jackson

On November 30th, 1962, the great Bo Jackson was born, making Bo Diddley a very happy guy thirty years later when his career was revived by the Bo Knows commercials.

Bo Jackson was as good an athlete as you can ever imagine. No one has ever competed at the skill level that he did in both football and baseball. It was so sad that his career was cut short, because he would have been in the record books as an all-time great.

He is one of the few players to make the All-Star game in two sports and in 1989 he was the Baseball All-Star game MVP. His potential was limitless as described in the many quotes said about him baseballquotations.com


"If I see Reggie Jackson, I'm going to tell him, this man makes your home runs look like pop ups."
--John Mayberry Sr, talking about Bo Jackson

Happy Baseball Birthday in Quotes to Mariano Rivera

On November 29th, 1969, the greatest relief pitcher in baseball history was born---Mariano Rivera

Rivera is one of my all-time favorite players. He was so much fun to watch and he always handled himself with such class and dignity. He is greatly missed.

Over his career, he was voted to 13 all-star games, was the 1999 World Series MVP and holds the career record for saves with 652.

Another great who had his birthday today was Minnie Minoso, but the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day, goes to Mo, the greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game.

"He needs to play in a higher league if there is one. Ban him from baseball. He should be illegal."
--Tom Kelly, on Mariano Rivera

Happy Birthday Quote of the Day to Dave Righetti

Today, November 28th, long time Yankee pitcher as well as long time Giant pitching coach, Dave Righetti turns 58.

'Rags' was both a top starting pitcher and relief pitcher over his Yankee career between 1979--1990. Among the highlights of his pitching career includes the 1981 Rookie of the Year Award as well as pitching a no-hitter on July 4th of 1983.

More recently, Righetti has been the long time pitching coach of the San Francisco Giants. Much like Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan were inseparable, the same is true for Bruce Bochy and Righetti.

The baseball quote recalls his days as a starting pitcher with the Yankees.

"He's got Hall of Fame stuff. He has simply everything you look for in a pitcher, arm. motion, makeup."--Clyde King, on Righetti

Happy Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day: Jimmy Rollins

November 27th Happy Birthday in Baseball Quotes to 2007 National League MVP, Jimmy Rollins. Other notable birthdays today include two future Hall of Famers, Mike Scioscia and Ivan Rodriguez.

Rollins gets the Quote of the Day, because even though I hated him as a Mets fan, I also greatly admired the way he has played the game over his career. He was the glue of the great Phillies team with Howard, Utley, Carpenter, Cliff Lee and Roy Halliday.

In honor of his birthday, Jimmy Rollins gets the Quote of the Day

"You got to think you're better, then show them why you're better."
--Jimmy Rollins baseballquotations.com

Happy Birthday Quote of the Day: Lefty Gomez

What a perfect time to set up a new blog site celebrating the birthday in quotes of baseball players.

Today, November 26th in baseball history, featured the birth of two Hall of Famers---Hugh Duffy and Vernon Louis Gomez, better known to the world as 'Lefty'.

Besides being a Hall of Fame pitcher with the Yankees, Gomez was also known for his great sense of humor and quotes that have filled many of my books over the years.

In celebration of what would have been the 108th birthday of Lefty Gomez, here is the very first quote on the new BaseballBirthdayQuote blog.

"I was never nervous when I threw the ball. When I let it go I was scared to death."