Happy Birthday - 5/6

Happy Birthday to ~

2B Jose Altuve (24)
Altuve was first signed by the Astros as a free agent out of Venezuela in 2007 and played on the Astros Venezuelan Summer League team that year. After starting in Greeneville in 2008, Altuve rapidly moved up the ranks until his major league debut in July of 2011. In his first full season for the Astros in 2012, Altuve earned his first All-Star nod. Over his first 31 games of 2014, Altuve is hitting .289/.345/.391 with 8 doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBI and an American League leading 11 stolen bases.

One former Astro celebrates today as well ~

RHP Larry Andersen (61)
Originally drafted by Cleveland in the seventh round in 1971, Andersen came to Houston as a free agent in 1986. In five seasons with the Astros, he pitched in 268 games going 22-16 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.211 WHIP. Andersen was known for his sense of humor and his Steven Wright style one-liners. According to this post, Andersen was the instigator of the SNL-inspired conehead masks sported by Andersen, Charley Kerfeld and Dave Smith. Andersen is best known (and loved) by Astros fans for being part of the most lopsided trade in baseball history as he was traded to the Red Sox for future Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell.