Happy Birthday - 10/4

RHP Lance Day (23)
Day was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Astros in July after a brief stint for the Independent League Grand Prairie Airhogs. The product of the University of Texas at Arlington fit right in with the strong Tri-City pitching staff as he went 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.139 WHIP in 11 appearances (eight starts).

No future Astros, only former Astros celebrating today:

OF Billy Hatcher (52)
Billy Hatcher came to Houston via a trade with the Chicago Cubs for Jerry Mumphrey.  He played for the Astros from 1986 to 1988 and part of 1989, hitting .266 during that time.  His best year offensively for the Astros was 1987 when he hit .296 for the season.  Billy is best remembered by Houston fans for postponing the inevitable.  In Game 6 of the NLCS in 1986, he hit a homerun in the 14th inning against the Mets to re-tie the game which the Astros eventually lost in the 16th inning to lose the series.  In 1989, he was traded to Pittsburgh for Glen Wilson and later played for the Reds, the Red Sox, the Phillies and the Rangers.  He is currently the First Base Coach for the Reds.

RHP Don Bradey (78)
Bradey's entire major league career consisted of two and a third innings pitched in three games for the Colt 45's in 1964 with a 19.29 ERA and a 3.857 WHIP. Ouch. In 15 minor league seasons, he was 127-118 with a 3.85 ERA and a 1.410 WHIP.

RHP Joe Boever (52)
Boever came to Houston as a free agent in January of 1992. In 81 games in relief for the Astros that season, he was 2-6 with a 2.51 ERA and 1.329 WHIP and led the league in appearances.

2B Mark McLemore (48)
Originally drafted by the Angels in the ninth round in 1982, McLemore signed as a free agent with the Astros in March 1991. In 21 games for the Astros, he hit .148/.221/.164. Of 19 seasons spent in the major leagues, McLemore spent 18 of them in the American League hitting .260/.351/.343.

OF Chris James (50)
James signed as a free agent with Houston in January of 1993 and appeared in 65 games for the Astros before being traded to the Rangers in September of that year. He hit .256/.333/.488 during his time as an Astro.

MGR Jimy Williams (69)
Williams managed the Astros in 2002, 2003 and part of 2004 and compiled a 215-197 record with Houston. He was preceded by Larry Dierker and followed by Phil Garner.