Happy Birthday to Terry 'Tito' Francona, born on this day in 1959. In my humble opinion, Francona is the best manager in baseball. Nobody gets more out of players than he does. The 2016 post season was a case in point. The Indians had no right going as far as they did with all their injuries, yet they were a few batters away from winning the World Series.
Also, he was a very good hitter in his playing says with a career batting average over .270 in ten years.
The two time World Series winner and two time Manager of the Year is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"One thing I can tell you is that he is never unprepared. He is here early and doesn't leave any stone unturned."
--Sandy Alomar Jr., on the preparation skills of Terry Francona.
For over forty Francona quotes and thousands of other baseball quotes, go to www.baseballquotations.com
Happy Birthday to Donnie Baseball, born on this day in 1961. Though many younger fans may know of him as the Dodgers and Marlins Manager, Don Mattingly was a hell of a ballplayer during his career.
Few players were as loved in pinstripes as much as Mattingly was during his playing days. He spent his whole career from 1982--1995 with the Yankees. He was a 6 x all-star, 9 x gold glove winner, 3 x silver slugger, the 1985 MVP and the 1984 AL batting champ. He was the heart and soul of those Yankee teams.
Even though he never made a World Series, Yankee fans loved him for his all around play. If he didn't have a bad back, he would have likely been a Hall of Famer.
He is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"I've never seen anyone like him."
--Earl Weaver, talking about the hitting ability of Don Mattingly
Happy Birthday to long time All-Star Joe Mauer, born on this day in 1983.
Joe Mauer is one of the greatest hitting catcher's of all-time. He holds the record for highest batting average for a catcher with a .365 average in 2009, the year he won the American League MVP. He is the only catcher in major league history to lead the league in batting three years. Incredible.
Mauer broke in with the Twins in 2004. In that time frame, he has been a six time all-star, three time Gold Glove winner and five time Silver Slugger winner.
Though injuries have slowed him down and he doesn't catch anymore, he is still a great player destined for Cooperstown.
In his honor, he is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Offensively, he has no weaknesses. Defensively, he's one of the best catchers in the league. I think when God made his blueprint for catchers, he stood Joe out.
--Joe Maddon, talking about Joe Mauer
For hundreds of Twins quotes, go to www.baseballquotations.com It's that simple
Happy 34th birthday to the best hitter in baseball over the last decade--Miguel Cabrera.
What a career--two time MVP, 4 x batting champ, 11 x All-Star, 7 x Silver Slugger, 2 x Home Run and Ribbie Champ and the list goes on and on. Of course, he will always be remembered for his incredible 2012 Triple Crown season.
The amazing part is he is still only 34 years old--think of how many more records he could break with his career home run total of 448 and batting average of .320.
In honor of this incredible player from his years first with the Marlins and now with the Tigers, Miguel Cabrera is the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"He's the best hitter in the game. It sounds crazy, but if he just hits a single, you're like, 'OK, we can work with that.'"
--Robin Ventura
For lost of Cabrera quotes, go to www.baseballquotations.com
Happy 50th birthday to former All-Star, Marquis Grissom. Grissom was a terrific ballplayer who lasted in the majors from 1989--2005. The early part of his career was spent with the Expos where he was a two time all-star.
His other achievements included a two time national league leader in stolen bases, four Gold Gloves, and the 1997 ALC MVP with the Indians.
He is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"He doesn't make any mistakes on the bases. He always gets what he supposed to."
--Bill Virdon, on the great base running of Grissom
Happy Birthday to Pete Rose, 'Charlie Hustle', born on this day in 1945.
He is the all-time hits leader with 4256 and most at bats with 3562. He played from 1963--1986, mostly with the Reds. Over his incredible career, he was a 17 time all-star (visions of Ray Fosse dancing in my head), won three World Series, An MVP, A World Series MVP, Two Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year and about a hundred other honors.
For those readers to young to remember his career, there were few people who have had such an incredible impact in the history of the game. Hall of Fame and Gambling controversy aside, he is an all-time great who will be remembered in the baseball history books for as long as the game exists.
Though he is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, he has the great honor of being the Birthday Baseball Quote of the Day for April 14th.
"Walk by a house that's being built, stop awhile and watch the bricklayers. Pretty soon, you'll be able to tell who is the best bricklayer by his drive, his determination. Pete Rose is the best bricklayer out there."
Willie Stargell
Over a hundred more Pete Rose quotes at www.baseballquotations.com
Happy Birthday to the Giants, Hunter Pence born on April 13th, 1983.
Pence is a terrific player who started his career with the Astros, traded to the Phillies and then signed with the Giants.
Over his ten year career, he has won two World Series Championships with the Giants and was a major contributor to the team's success. He is also a three time all-star with an impressive .284 batting average...and shout out to those of us in Albany, New York--his career started with the local Tri City Valley Cats.
In honor of his terrific career, he is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"He's a guy whose passion for baseball is unbelievable. He's a guy that gives everything for his teammates to win ball games and does whatever it takes to do it."
--Gregor Blanco
For thousands of baseball quotes, go to www.baseballquotations.com
Happy Birthday to Mariner's pitcher, Hisashi Iwakama, who was born on this day in 1981.
Iwakama is a terrific pitcher who started his professional career with the Osaka Kintletsu Buffaloes. He joined the major leagues in 2012 with the Mariners and has been with them ever since. His major league career has been impressive and includes a no-hitter, an all-start appearance and third place in the Cy Young Award vote in 2013.
In honor of his pitching, Iwakama is our Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day Player,
"If you look at anyone of his four pitches in a vacuum, they're probably average. But when you put them all together with deception and his ability to move pitches, it plays up."
--Scott Servais
Happy Birthday to future Hall of Famer, Adrian Beltre, born on this day in 1979.
Beltre is one of baseball's most underrated stars. Since he started his career with the Dodgers in 1998, he has been a four time All-Star, 5 time Gold Glove Winner, 4 time Silver Slugger winner and led the National League in Home Runs and the American League in hits.
Since 2011, he has been the leader of the Rangers both on the field and in the dugout. He has 2942 career hits and 445 career home runs. He is destined for Cooperstown.
He is well deserving of our baseball birthday quote of the day,
"Adrian Beltre is the finest leader I have ever been around."
--Jeff Banister, Rangers Manager
Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, born on April 6th, 1951. Greatest baseball player in history that was born in the Netherlands.
He pitched from 1970--1992, starting with the Twins, but pitching also for four other major league teams. He won 287 career games, had a career 3.31 ERA and struck out over 3700 hitters. He is still to this day regarded as having one of the most deceptive curveballs in baseball history. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
The great Hank Aaron gave high praise to Bert Blyleven,
"I hit against him and if there was finer pitcher than he was than I don't know who it was."
--Hank Aaron, talking about Bert Blyleven
Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, born on April 1, 1939. The legendary 'Knucksie' played most of his career with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.
Over his career, he compiled 318 wins, five all-star game appearances, five gold glove awards and he pitched a no hitter in 1973. No surprise that he was selected for the Hall of Fame in 1997.
He is regarded as having one of, if not the best, knuckleball in baseball history. At times, it was unhittable.
In honor of Phil Niekro's Hall of Fame career and his great knuckleball, he is the recipient of today's Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Trying to hit him is like trying to eat jello with Chopstixs."
--Bobby Murcer, talking about Niekro's curveball
Bonus Quote:
"I'm proud of my sons and happy they don't have to work for a living."
--Phil Niekro Sr., talking about his major league playing sons Phil Jr. and Joe
