Happy Birthday - 1/18

No future Astros, and only one former Astro with a birthday today ~

LHP Wandy Rodriguez (34)
Rodriguez was first signed with the Astros on January 12, 1999 as a 17-year old NDFA named Eny Cabreja.  It wasn't until 2002 that he revealed to the Astros that he had really been 19 at the time and had used a friend's identity. ( Here is a great article by Jose de Jesus Ortiz from 2008 that helps explain the pressures facing young Dominican players who are considered old at 19.) Rodriguez pitched for Houston for eight seasons, from 2005 until his trade to Pittsburgh in July 2012, with a 80-84 record, a 4.04 ERA and a 1.339 WHIP.