Happy Birthday - 7/21

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Pat Urckfitz (26)
Signed by Houston as a NDFA in 2008, Urckfitz started his 2014 season with Corpus Christi, compiling a 1-1 record with three saves, a 1.32 ERA and a 1.061 WHIP in 22 appearances before his promotion to Oklahoma City in mid-May. In his first nine games for the RedHawks, Urckfitz has a 3.21 ERA and a 1.571 WHIP.

Three former Astros mark the day as well ~

C John Bateman (died December 3, 1996 at 56)
Bateman was signed by Houston in 1962 and played for the Colt .45's and the Astros from 1963 to 1968. In 565 games, he hit .228./.274/.353 with 71 doubles, 10 triples and 45 home runs, and had a career caught stealing percentage of 34%. Some may be under the impression that Bateman is still alive because his persona has been used on twitter as a very clever way to look at the early Colt .45's, Astros and Expos history.

SS/2B Dennis Menke (74)
Menke came to Houston in a trade with Atlanta in October 1967 and played for the Astros for four years before being traded to the Reds in November of 1971. He came to Houston a second time in yet another trade with the Reds in February of 1974 and played one final season for the Astros that year. Menke was a two-time All-Star for the Astros in 1969 and again in 1970. In 634 games for Houston, he hit .266/.355/.373. His best season by far was 1970 when he hit .304/.392/.441.

RHP Mark Lemongello (59)
Not to be confused with this or this, Lemongello was a RHP who came to Houston in a December 1975 trade with Detroit. In 71 games (64 starts) for the Astros from 1976 through 1978, he was 21-29 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. He was only 21 years old when he made his first major league start.