Happy Birthday - 12/22

Happy Birthday to ~

Charley Taylor, one of the 2012 GCL Astros coaching staff, turns 65 today.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RF Glenn Wilson (54)
Originally drafted in the first round in 1980 by the Tigers, Wilson came to Houston in an August 1980 trade that sent Billy Hatcher to Pittsburgh. In 146 games for the Astros in 1989 and 1990, he hit .238/.284/.357. His best season was his All-Star season for the Phillies in 1985 when he hit 39 doubles and drove in 102 runs.

RHP Michael Jackson (48)
A second round pick by the Phillies in 1984, Jackson signed with the Astros as a free agent in December 2000. In 67 games for Houston in 2001, he had a 4.70 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP. In 1998, he saved 40 games for Cleveland with a 1.55 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP.

OF Jason Lane (36)
Drafted by the Astros in the sixth round in 1999, Lane played in 494 games for Houston from 2002 to 2007, hitting .241/.315/.458. He re-invented himself in 2011 as a left-handed pitcher with a little help from the Diamondbacks organization. After his release in May 2012 by Arizona, Lane pitched for the Independent Sugar Land Skeeters. In 18 games (17 starts), he was 9-5 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.057 WHIP. He signed as a free agent with the Twins last month.

Happy Birthday - 12/22

Only former Astros with birthdays today

RF Glenn Wilson (53)
Played in 146 games for Houston in 1989 and 1990

RHP Michael Jackson (47)
Pitched in 67 games for Houston in 2001

OF Jason Lane (35)
Lane played in 494 games for Houston from 2002 to 2007 and he has been trying to get back to the majors ever since 2007.  So he re-invented himself.  The outfielder signed with the Diamondbacks as a LHP on a minor league contract this month.  Here's the story and here are his pitching stats for the Reno Aces of the PCL.

Also, Charley Taylor (64)
Coach of the GCL Astros