Happy Birthday - 7/21

LHP Pat Urckfitz (24)
Signed by Houston as a NDFA in 2008, Urckfitz is having a very good season at Lancaster this year. In 34 appearances out of the bullpen, the lefty is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA, a 1.240 WHIP and seven saves. He has allowed only 13 walks to 52 strikeouts in 50.1 innings pitched.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

C John Bateman (died December 3, 1996 at 56)
Bateman was signed by Houston in 1962 and played for the Colt .45's and the Astros from 1963 to 1968. In 565 games, he hit .228./.274/.353 with 71 doubles, 10 triples and 45 home runs, and had a career caught stealing percentage of 34%. Some may be under the impression that Bateman is still alive because his persona has been used on twitter as a very clever way to look at the early Colt .45's and Astros history.

SS/2B Dennis Menke (72)
Menke came to Houston in a trade with Atlanta in October 1967 and played for the Astros for four years before being traded to the Reds in November of 1971. He came to Houston a second time in yet another trade with the Reds in February of 1974 and played one final season for the Astros that year. Menke was a two-time All-Star for the Astros in 1969 and again in 1970. In 634 games for Houston, he hit .266/.355/.373. He best season by far was 1970 when he hit .304/.392/.441.

RHP Mark Lemongello (57)
Not to be confused with this or this, Lemongello was a RHP who came to Houston in a December 1975 trade with Detroit. In 71 games (64 starts) for the Astros from 1976 through 1978, he was 21-29 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. He was only 21 years old when he made his first major league start.