Happy Birthday - 7/19

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to WTHB's own Dustin who writes the best Astros minor league recaps that money can buy ... for free. Writing the recaps is a thankless job, but I thank him from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful job he does. Happy Birthday, Dustin! This one's for you ...

No future Astros with birthdays today, but a trio of former Astros celebrate the day ~

RHP Wilton Lopez (31)
Originally signed by the Yankees as a NDFA out of Nicaragua, Lopez was selected off waivers from the Padres in April 2009. In 213 games for the Astros from 2009 through 2012, Lopez had a 13-13 record with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.207 WHIP and 11 saves. He was traded, along with Jose Monzon, to the Rockies for Alex White and Alex Gillingham in December 2012. He was the 11th Nicaraguan national to make it to the U.S. major leagues.

CF Preston Wilson (40)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1992, Wilson came to Houston as a free agent in January 2006 and was released in August of that year after hitting .269/.309/.405 in 102 games. In 1999, he was second in Rookie of the Year voting to Reds pitcher Scott Williamson. In 2003, Wilson was an All-Star for Colorado.

OF Rick Ankiel (35)
Ankiel was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 1997 as a pitcher, but re-invented himself as an outfielder starting in 2005. He came to Houston as a free agent in January 2013 and was subsequently released on May 9th after hitting only .194/.231/.484 in 25 games (and striking out 35 times in that span).