Happy Birthday - 12/18

Happy Birthday to ~

1B/LF/DH Chris Carter (27)
Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round in 2005, Carter came to the Astros, along with Brad Peacock and Max Stassi, in the February 2013 trade that sent Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland. In 148 games for Houston in 2013, Carter hit .223/.320/.451 with 24 doubles, two triples and a team-leading 29 home runs and 82 RBI. He also had the ignominious distinction of striking out 212 times, landing third on the all-time season record list.

LHP Rudy Owens (26)
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the 28th round in 2006, Owens came to Houston in the 2012 trade that sent Wandy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh. Owens had surgery for a stress fracture in his foot and missed most of the 2013 season, making only four appearances with Oklahoma City in April. In the Dominican winter league, Owens went 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA and a 0.986 WHIP in 10 starts. He held batters to a .191 batting average.

RHP Edison Frias (23)
Frias was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. Frias started and ended his 2013 season with the Tri-City team, but spent the majority of the season with the Rookie League Greeneville team. In a combined 12 appearances (10 starts) between the two venues, he was 4-3 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

OF Mike White (75)
Originally drafted from the Angels in the minor league draft in 1961, White played in 100 games for the 1963 and 1964 Colt .45's and the 1965 Astros, hitting .264/.311/.321.

RHP Jim Clancy (58)
A fourth round pick by the Rangers in 1974, Clancy signed with Houston as a free agent in December 1988. In 96 games (36 starts) for Houston from 1989 to 1991, he had a 9-25 record with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.478 WHIP. His best years were for the Toronto Blue Jays for whom he pitched for 12 seasons and won his one All-Star nod in 1982.

RHP Willie Blair (48)
Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round in 1986, Blair came to Houston in a December 1991 trade with the Indians. In 29 games (eight starts) pitched for the Astros in 1992, he was 5-7 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.258 WHIP. Most recently, he was the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres in 2013.