Happy Birthday - 10/22

Happy Birthday to ~

SS Joan Mauricio (18)
An international free agent signed out of the Dominican Republic, Mauricio had a very successful freshman season in 2014. In his first 43 games for the Dominican Summer League Astros, Mauricio hit .275/.376/.444, leading to his promotion to the Gulf Coast League for his final 22 games of the season (.127/.271/.211).

Several former Astros mark the day as well ~

SS/OF Brian Bixler (32)
A second round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2004, Bixler was claimed by Houston off waivers from the Nationals in November 2011. In his only season with the Astros, he split his time between Oklahoma City and Houston. In 75 games with the Redhawks, he hit .269/.346/.361. In 36 games with Houston, he hit .193/.253/.330. Most recently, he played in the Padres minor league system in 2014.

LHP Frank DiPino (58)
DiPino came to Houston as a part of a September 1982 trade with Milwaukee for Don Sutton. In 201 games pitched for the Astros from 1982 to 1986, he had a 3.65 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. He left Houston in a July 1986 trade for Davey Lopes.

RHP Cecil Upshaw (died February 7, 1995 at age 52)
Upshaw came to Houston in an April 1973 trade with Atlanta. In 35 games out of the bullpen that season, he was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.383 WHIP. After the season, he was traded to Cleveland.

CF Gerald Young (50)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the fifth round in 1982, Young came to Houston in an August 1984 trade with New York. Playing for the Astros from 1987 to 1992, Young hit .246/.330/.302 and stole 153 bases.

Manager "Harry the Hat" Walker (died August 8, 1999 at age 82)
Walker managed the Astros from 1968 to 1972 and compiled a 355-353 record. According to Wikipedia:

"Harry the Hat" got his nickname from his habit during at-bats of continually adjusting his cap between pitches — there were no batting helmets in his day.

Happy Birthday - 10/21

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

1B/OF Franklin Stubbs (53)
A first round pick by the Dodgers in 1982, Stubbs came to Houston in an April 1990 trade with Los Angeles. In 146 games for the Astros that season, he hit .261/.334/.475 with 23 doubles, two triples and 23 home runs. He earned his World Series ring with the Dodgers in 1988.

OF Ron Davis (died September 5, 1992 at age 50)
Davis signed as an amateur free agent with Houston prior to the 1962 season and played for the Colt .45's that season and for the Astros in 1966 to 1968. In a total of 200 games for Houston, he hit .239/.293/.345.

RHP Cecil Upshaw (died February 7, 1995 at age 52)
Upshaw came to Houston in an April 1973 trade with Atlanta. In 35 games out of the bullpen that season, he was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.383 WHIP. After the season, he was traded to Cleveland.

2B Keith Drumright (died August 7, 2010 at age 55)
Originally drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round in 1976, Drumright came to Houston in a October 1977 trade with Chicago. In 17 games for the Astros in 1978, he hit .164/.207/.164. His only other major league experience was in 31 games for Oakland in 1981.

Happy Birthday - 10/21

RHP Rauldison Rodriguez (19)
A non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez spent his first pro season with the DSL Astros. In 10 appearances out of the bullpen, he had a 3.18 ERA and a 1.765 WHIP.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

1B/OF Franklin Stubbs (52)
A first round pick by the Dodgers in 1982, Stubbs came to Houston in an April 1990 trade with Los Angeles. In 146 games for the Astros that season, he hit .261/.334/.475 with 23 doubles, two triples and 23 home runs. He earned his World Series ring with the Dodgers in 1988.

OF Ron Davis (died September 5, 1992 at age 50)
Davis signed as an amateur free agent with Houston prior to the 1962 season and played for the Colt .45's that season and for the Astros in 1966 to 1968. In a total of 200 games for Houston, he hit .239/.293/.345.

RHP Cecil Upshaw (died February 7, 1995 at age 52)
Upshaw came to Houston in an April 1973 trade with Atlanta. In 35 games out of the bullpen that season, he was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.383 WHIP. After the season, he was traded to Cleveland.

2B Keith Drumright (died August 7, 2010 at age 55)
Originally drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round in 1976, Drumright came to Houston in a October 1977 trade with Chicago. In 17 games for the Astros in 1978, he hit .164/.207/.164. His only other major league experience was in 31 games for Oakland in 1981.

Happy Birthday - 10/21

2B Luca Martone (19)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent from Italy, Luca is in his second year in the organization.  His numbers this season with the GCL Astros equal a vast improvement over last season's .173 BA.  This year, in 70 AB's, he hit .314/.385/.386/.770.

Former Astros with birthdays today

1B,LF Franklin Stubbs (51)
Played for Houston in 1990
Had a .261 BA with 23 doubles, 2 triples and 23 home runs

OF Ron Davis (died September 5, 1992 at age 50)
Played for the Colt 45's in 1962 and for the Astros in 1966-1968

RHP Cecil Upshaw (died February 7, 1995 at age 52)
Pitched for Houston in 1973

2B Keith Drumright (died August 7, 2010 at age 55)
Played in 17 games for Houston in 1978