Happy Birthday - 7/29

1B/DH Kody Hinze (25)
The Astros signed the Houston native prior to the 2008 season. Hinze split 2011 between Lancaster and Corpus Christi where he hit .281/.358/.422 in the 55 games after his promotion. In 2012 for Corpus, he has shown signs of the offensive prowess he has demonstrated in the past, but he has been highly inconsistent. He hit .278 in April, .106 in May, .306 in June and .152 so far in July. My birthday wish for him is to go back to whatever he was doing in June!

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

2B/SS/OF Felix Mantilla (78)
Mantilla came to Houston in April 1966 in a trade with Boston and played in 77 games for the Astros at the end of his career, hitting .219/.279/.371. A one-time All Star for Boston, his best season was 1964 when he hit .289/.357/.553 with 30 home runs for Boston. He played with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 as a part of their winning World Series team.

1B Dan Driessen (51)
Driessen signed as a free agent with Houston in June 1986 and played in only 17 games for the Astros, hitting .292/.414/.458. Driessen played for the Reds from 1973 to 1984 as a part of the Big Red Machine and won two World Series with the Reds in 1975 and 1976. He was the first National League player to be used as a DH as that position was introduced in the 1976 World Series with the Yankees.

RHP Mike Williams (44)
A 14th round draft pick by the Phillies in 1990, Williams came to Houston in a July 2001 trade with the Pirates. In 25 games for the Astros in 2001, he was 4-0 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.567 WHIP before going back to Pittsburgh. A two-time All Star for the Pirates, his 2002 season was his best as he had a 2.93 ERA, a 1.223 WHIP and 46 saves.