Happy Birthday - 11/12

No future Astros with birthdays today, but these former Astros mark the day ~

LHP Joe Hoerner (died October 4, 1996 at age 59)
Drafted from the White Sox in the 1961 minor league expansion draft, Hoerner pitched only 14 innings over eight games for the Colt 45's in 1963 and 1964 before being picked up by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft in 1965.  Hoerner was later involved in the Curt Flood trade which led eventually to overturning the reserve clause and expanding free agency. His best years were with St. Louis in the late 60's (4 seasons with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.019 WHIP in 206 appearances), but he also had strong seasons with Philadelphia leading to his only All-Star appearance in 1970.

RHP Mark Small (died October 22, 2013 at 45)
A 17th round draft pick by Houston in 1989, he pitched in 10 games for Houston in 1996 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.890 WHIP. That was his only major league experience.

C Randy Knorr (46)
Originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 10th round in 1986, Knorr was purchased by Houston from the Blue Jays in May of 1996. In 54 games played for the Astros in 1996, 1997 and 1999, he hit .200/.241/.296. He has been the bench coach for the Washington Nationals since 2012.