Happy Birthday - 6/20

No future Astros with birthdays today, but three former Astros celebrate the day6~

SS Dickie Thon (56)
Originally signed by the Angels as a NDFA in 1975, Thon came to Houston in an April 1981 trade for RHP Ken Forsch. In seven seasons for the Astros, he hit .270/.329/.395 with his best season being his All-Star 1983 season as he hit .286/.341/.457 and won the Silver Slugger. In early 1984, Thon was hit in the eye by a Mike Torrez pitch threatening his career just as he was hitting his stride. Although he eventually was able to be effective at the plate again, most Astros fans who saw him in 1983 were left to wonder what if. In 1983, Thon led the National League in WAR at 7.2.

C Paul Bako (42)
A fifth round pick by the Reds in 1993, Bako came to Houston in a January 1999 trade. In 74 games with Houston in 1999 and 2000, he hit .253/.329/.355.

LF/1B Carlos Lee (38)
Signed as a NDFA out of Panama by the White Sox, Carlos Lee came to Houston as a free agent signing in November of 2006. In six seasons with the Astros, Lee hit .286/.338/.479 with 187 doubles, 8 triples, and 133 home runs. He was traded to the Marlins on July 4, 2012 (hereafter known as Freedom from Carlos Lee's Contract Day) for Rob Rasmussen and Matt Dominguez, proving that there is justice and mercy in the world. Lee was an All-Star from 2005 to 2007 and won Silver Sluggers in 2005 and 2007. He recorded five 30 home run seasons and six 100 RBI seasons in his career.