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 - 10/22

Former Astros celebrating birthdays today ~

SS/OF Brian Bixler (31)
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. He was signed as a free agent by the Mets in November 2012 and played for their AAA affiliate in 2013.

LHP Frank DiPino (57)
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.

CF Gerald Young (49)
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. According to Baseball-Reference, as of September 1, 2013, Young was the only player born in Honduras to have played in the major leagues.

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 - 10/22

C Miles Hamblin (24)
This Texas native was drafted in the 12th round in 2011 out of the University of Mississippi. After a good 2011 season for Tri-City, he started the 2012 season for Lexington but only appeared in two games before getting shelved for the season. In only three at-bats he hit a home run, walked and scored twice.

SS/OF Brian Bixler (30)
A second round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2004, Bixler was claimed by Houston off waivers from the Nationals in November 2011. In his first 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. He elected free agency at the end of the season.

Former Astros having birthdays today ~

LHP Frank DiPino (56)
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.

CF Gerald Young (48)
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 - 10/22

C Miles Hamblin (23)
This Texas native was drafted in the 12th round in 2011 out of the University of Mississippi.  He put up good numbers in his first professional season.  In 201 AB's for Tri-City, his line was .264/.346/.398/.745.

Former Astros having birthdays today

LHP Frank DiPino (55)
Pitched in 201 games for Houston from 1982 to 1986 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP
Came to Houston as part of the Don Sutton trade
Left Houston in a trade with Chicago for Davey Lopes

CF Gerald Young (47)
Played for Houston from 1987 to 1992
Rookie of the Year Candidate (came in 5th) in 1987 when he hit .321
Hit a composite .246 with the Astros and stole 153 bases

Bullpen Coach Jamie Quirk (57)
Played for 18 seasons with 8 different clubs (11 seasons with the Royals)
Primarily a catcher, but played all positions except CF and pitcher

Manager "Harry the Hat" Walker (died August 8, 1999 at age 82)
Managed the Astros from 1968 to 1972 and went 355-353
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."