Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Happy Birthday - 6/4

C Ernesto Genoves (22)
A non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela, who first played in the Astros Venezuelan Academy in 2008, Genoves had a bit of an off year in 2012 after putting up solid numbers in 2011. In 48 games with the Greeneville Astros last season, he hit .235/.310/.407 with 13 doubles and five home runs. Over the winter, Genoves played in the Liga Paralela in Venezuela, hitting .270/.368/.430 in 40 games.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

LHP Arnold Earley (died September 29, 1999 at 66)
Earley came to Houston in a trade with the Cubs in 1967 and only pitched 1.1 innings for the Astros with less than desirable results. His best season was in 1964 for Boston when he had a 2.68 ERA and a 1.371 WHIP over 25 appearances.

C Scott Servais (46)
Servais was drafted by Houston in the third round in 1988 and played for Houston from 1991 to 1995 and again in 2001. In 295 games for Houston, he hit .225/.284/.357.

OF/1B Darin Erstad (39)
Originally drafted by the Angels in the first round in 1985, Erstad came to Houston as a free agent at the end of his career. In 247 games for the Astros in 2008 and 2009, he hit .252/.297/.353. In his time with the Angels, he was a two time All-Star, three time Gold Glove winner and one time winner of the Silver Slugger. He got his World Series ring with the Angels in 2002. Erstad is currently head coach of his alma mater, the University of Nebraska.

C Rick Wilkins (46)
Ironically, Wilkins came to Houston from the Cubs in a trade for Scott Servais with whom he shares a birthday to the year. He spent parts of the 1995 and 1996 seasons with Houston before being traded to the Giants for C Kirt Manwaring. Wilkins hit .218/.339/.333 in 99 games.

C Tony Pena (56)
Pena only played in nine games for Houston in 1997 at the end of his career. In 18 major league seasons, playing for Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Boston, Cleveland, the White Sox and Houston, he made five All-Star appearances and won four Gold Gloves. Pena recently managed the 2013 World Baseball Classic Dominican Republic team to a perfect record as they won the tournament.

1 comment:

  1. From tweets that were sent yesterday. Houston Astro OF, Justin Maxwell starts his rehab during the Corpus Christi Hooks homestand against Midland. Singleton tweeted last night that he's enroute to Corpus Christi. Not sure if it will be just for the four games against Midland or if he will go to San Antonio also.

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