Happy Birthday to J.R. Richard, born on this day in 1950. For those of to young to remember, J.R. Richard was one of the most intimidating pitchers of the 1970's.
From 1976--1980, he was closest to the best pitcher in baseball. He led the National League in ERA in 79, led the NL in Ks' in 78 and '79 and was a 1980 All-Star.
Amazing in 1976, he had 14 complete games, 13 in '77, 16 in '78 and 19 in '79.
Sadly, in 1980, at the age of 30 he suffered a stroke and, despite various comeback attempts, was never able to make it back to the majors. He played his entire career with the Astros and compiled a 107-71 record.
A very sad story for a player with such incredible talent.
"He starts out throwing Alka Seltzers and ends up throwing Aspirins."
--Lenny Randle, on J.R. Richard
Happy birthday to the late, great Willie Stargell, born on March 6th, 1940.
'Pops' as we was affectionately known was an all-time great. He played his entire career with the Pirates from 1962--1982. His credentials included 7 x all-star, 1979 MVP, 2 x HR leader and 475 career home runs. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. He was also regarded as one of the nicest guys in the game of baseball. A true legend.
He is very deserving of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square."
--Willie Stargell
Happy 24th birthday to Kyle Schwarber, one of the most exciting young players in baseball.
One of the many reasons to look forward to the 2017 season is the anticipation of watching a healthy Kyle Schwarber for an entire season. When healthy, the Cub's Schwarber is one of baseball's most exciting player's.
He was the fourth pick of the 2014 MLB draft. He came on like gangbusters in June of 2015 and ended up the season with 16 home runs and 43 ribbies in only 232 at bats.
In the second game of the 2016 season, he collided with Dexter Fowler and was out for the year. He made the remarkable comeback in the World Series and had 7 hits in 17 at bats.
In anticipation of a great season ahead, Schwarber is our choice for the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"The guy is a force of nature and it's become fun watching him play."
--Kris Bryant
Hall of Famer Dazzy Vance was born on March 4, 1891. He had many achievements as a player including being the only pitcher to lead the National Leagues 7 years in a row in strike outs. He was also the National League MVP in 1924, the first year of the MVP award.
To me as a baseball quote collector, he provided the greatest quote I have ever seen about finding out he made the Hall of Fame.
"How did I feel when I first heard the news? About the same way I guess that Columbus felt when he looked out from his ship and first saw land"
--Dazzy Vance, on finding out he was inducted into the Hall of Fame
Hall of Famer 'Wee' Willie Keeler was born on March 3, 1872. Known for his quote, 'hit 'em where they ain't', Keeler was a career .341 hitter who hit over .300 16 times in his 19 year career.
His Hall of Fame career has provided Wee Willie Keeler with the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Who would you rather be---'Wee' Willie or 'Big' Dave?"
--Dave Winfield, after he passed Keeler on the all time hits list
Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer, Mel Ott, born on March 2, 1909. Ott played his whole career, from 1926-1947, with the New York Giants. He had a career average of .304 and had 511 home runs.
Among his many accomplishments including leading the National League in Home Runs, six times. He was also a 12 x all-star including 11 years in a row. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.
Sadly, he died at the young age of 49 in a car accident.
This legend of the game is today's recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Ottie had charisma long before that overused word emerged from the dictionary for everyday use."
--Arthur Daly
Happy Birthday to former Pirate, Johnny Ray, born on March 1, 1957. Ray was a terrific hitting second baseman who never gets enough credit for his body of work.
He played in the major leagues for ten years, mostly with the Pirates but the last few with the Angels. He was an all-star, a recipient of the Silver Slugger award and was The Sporting News Rookie of the Year.
Most impressively, in 5188 career at bats, he had a .290 batting average. Not many major leaguers could make that claim.
For his underrated career, Johnny Ray is the recipient of the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"You don't get Johnny Ray out...Johnny Ray gets himself out. I believe he is going to make a serious run for a batting title."
--Lloyd Moseby
