Happy Birthday - 12/1

Only former Astros with birthdays today

RHP Jim "Sting" Ray (67)
Ray pitched for Houston in 1965, 1966 and 1968 to 1973.  He was 42-27 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.293 WHIP and 23 Saves in 280 games.  One of the highlights of Ray's career had to be pitching in the 24-inning affair with the Mets on April 15, 1968, the longest shutout in baseball history.  He pitched seven innings of relief, gave up two hits, one walk and struck out 11.  This entertaining story about the game put it well:

"As the innings wore on, pitchers looked more and more like Walter Johnson, and it became apparent that short of a negotiated truce, the only way this contest would end was through a mistake."

LHP Dan Warthen (59)
Pitched in 5 games for Houston in 1978

LHP Dan Schatzeder (57)
Pitched in 81 games for Houston in 1989 & 1990 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.459 WHIP