Happy Birthday - 12/11

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

OF Derek Bell (46)
A second round pick by the Blue Jays in 1987, Bell came to Houston from San Diego in a December 1994 trade. Bell played for Houston from 1995 to 1999 and compiled a batting line of .284/.341/.430 in 683 games as an Astro. He had 153 doubles, ten triples, 74 home runs, 444 RBI's and 102 stolen bases. In nine games of post-season play from 1997 to 1999, he only managed an .094 batting average. He got his one World Series ring in 1992 with the Blue Jays.

OF Thomas Howard (50)
Originally drafted by the Padres in the first round in 1986, Howard signed with Houston as a free agent in December 1996. In 107 games for the Astros in 1997, he hit .247/.323/.353.

RHP Hal Brown (90)
Brown was purchased from the Yankees in March 1963 and pitched in 53 games for the Colt 45's in 1963 and 1964 at the end of his career with an ERA of 3.62 and a WHIP of 1.189. Brown spent a total of 14 seasons in the major leagues. His 1960 season in Baltimore, when he went 12-5 in 30 games (20 starts) with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.113 WHIP, was probably his best year.

OF Lee Maye (died July 17, 2002 at 67)
Maye came to Houston in a May 1965 trade with the Milwaukee Braves and played in 223 games for the Astros in 1965 and 1966, hitting .268/.302/.380. In 1964, he led the National League in doubles with 44 as he hit .304/.346/.447 for Milwaukee.

2B Rob Andrews (61)
A 10th round pick by the Orioles in 1970, Andrews came to Houston, along with Enos Cabell, in a December 1974 trade with Baltimore. In 212 games for the Astros in 1975 and 1976, he hit .249/.311/.294.

RHP Mike Henneman (53)
Originally drafted in the fourth round by Detroit in 1984, Henneman came to Houston in an August 1995 trade with the Tigers for Phil Nevin. In 21 games for the Astros in 1995, he had a 3.00 ERA and a 1.190 WHIP. He was an All-Star for Detroit in 1989. He was the Pitching Coach for Detroits Low A Affiliate in 2014.

Also, a very happy birthday to Rachel Frey, former "MLB.com Real Time Correspondent covering the Houston Astros" and just genuinely nice person and friend of the blog.