Happy Birthday - 1/17

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Matt Heidenreich (23)
Originally drafted by the White Sox in the fourth round in 2009, Heidenreich came in to the Houston organization as a part of the Chicago July 2012 trade for Brett Myers. In 25 games (seven starts) for Corpus Christi in 2013, he was 4-5 with a 8.23 ERA and a 1.811 WHIP. He also made six appearances with the Gulf Coast League Astros in a rehab assignment. Heidenreich was very effective in his six starts in the Arizona Fall League in 2013, going 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA and a 1.095 WHIP.

RHP Gerardo Ramirez (20)
Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Mexico by the Twins, Ramirez came to Houston prior to the 2013 season. In 12 appearances out of the bullpen for the Greeneville Astros rookie level club, Ramirez was 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.421 WHIP. He walked five and struck out 24 in 19 innings.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

LHP Jeff Tabaka (50)
A second round pick by the Expos in 1986, Tabaka came to Houston in a July 1995 trade with the Padres. In 42 games for the Astros in 1995 and 1996, he had a 4.23 ERA and a 1.590 WHIP.

Manager Lum Harris (died November 11, 1996 at 81)
Lum Harris managed the Colt .45's for 13 games in 1964 after Harry Craft was fired, and then was the first manager of the Astros in 1965. He had a 70-105 record.  For an extremely entertaining interview with Harris that will take you back to an entirely different era of baseball, click here. You won't regret it.