Happy Birthday - 10/19

RHP Jordan Lyles (21)
A 2008 supplemental first round draft pick by the Astros out of high school in South Carolina, Jordan is the second player (behind Jason Castro) from that draft class to make it to the bigs.  After starting the year in Oklahoma, Jordan made his major league debut on May 31st.  At Oklahoma City, Jordan was 3-3 in 12 appearances (10 starts) with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.299 WHIP.  At Houston, he was 2-8 in 20 appearances (15 starts) with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.415 WHIP.

LHP J.A. Happ (29)
Originally drafted by the Phillies in the 3rd round in 2004, Happ came to the Astros in 2010 in the Oswalt trade.  Happ struggled during much of the season until he was sent to Oklahoma City to work on his mental game mostly.  For the season, he was 6-15 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP, but he was much improved in August and September as he went 2-2 in 7 starts with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.268 WHIP.

Former Astros with birthdays today

OF,1B Walt Bond (died September 14, 1967 at age 29)
A member of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, Bond played for the Colt 45's in 1964 and the Astros in 1965.  I was not aware of Bond's history until I read this entry from the TBHOF site.

"Standing at 6' 7" tall and weighing between 235–250 lbs, Big Walt Bond had his best year as a Houston Colt .45 in 1964 when he hit 20 home runs and drove in 85 runs—the first true power hitting ballplayer in team history."

But that was only part of the story.  He was one of many silent heroes who helped to integrate baseball.  He was active in the community, working to support local school sports programs.  And he showed enormous courage and strength in his fight against leukemia which he sadly lost at the age of 29.  I encourage reading the entire entry.

OF Brock Davis (68)
Played for the Colt 45's in 1963 and 1964 and for the Astros in 1966

RHP Dave Veres (45)
Compiled a 2.31 ERA and a 1.143 WHIP in 104 appearances in 1994 and 1995

2B Joe McEwing (39)
Appeared in 7 games in 2006