Happy Birthday - 11/16

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Joselo Pinales (20)
An international free agent from the Dominican Republic, Pinales started his 2014 season with the Dominican Summer League team, but was quickly promoted to the Gulf Coast League Astros. In 17 games (eight starts), he had a 4.58 ERA and a 1.254 WHIP.

Three Former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

LHP Rob Mallicoat (50)
A first round pick by Houston in 1984, Mallicoat pitched in 51 games for the Astros in 1987, 1991 and 1992 with a 5.70 ERA and a 1.752 WHIP.

RHP Dwight "Doc" Gooden (50)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1982, Gooden signed with Houston as a free agent in January 2000 and pitched in only one game for the Astros that season before being purchased by Tampa Bay. Gooden is best remembered for his 11 seasons with the Mets, during which time he was Rookie of the Year (1984), N.L. Cy Young winner (1985) and a four-time All-Star among other noteworthy accomplishments.

SS Julio Lugo (39)
Drafted by the Astros in the 43rd round in 1994, Lugo played for Houston from 2000 until May 2003. In 366 games, he hit .268/.332/.391.

Happy Birthday - 11/16

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Joselo Pinales (19)
A non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, Pinales spent his first professional season with the Dominican Summer League Astros. In 11 appearances (one start), he was 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.861 WHIP. Not a bad debut! He is currently playing winter ball for the Tiburones in the Liga Paralela in Venezuela.

Former Astros celebrating birthdays today ~

LHP Rob Mallicoat (49)
A first round pick by Houston in 1984, Mallicoat pitched in 51 games for the Astros in 1987, 1991 and 1992 with a 5.70 ERA and a 1.752 WHIP.

RHP Dwight "Doc" Gooden (49)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1982, Gooden signed with Houston as a free agent in January 2000 and pitched in only one game for the Astros that season before being purchased by Tampa Bay. Gooden is best remembered for his 11 seasons with the Mets, during which time he was Rookie of the Year (1984), N.L. Cy Young winner (1985) and a four-time All-Star among other noteworthy accomplishments.

SS Julio Lugo (38)
Drafted by the Astros in the 43rd round in 1994, Lugo played for Houston from 2000 until May 2003. In 366 games, he hit .268/.332/.391.

Happy Birthday - 11/16

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

LHP Rob Mallicoat (48)
A first round pick by Houston in 1984, Mallicoat pitched in 51 games for the Astros in 1987, 1991 and 1992 with a 5.70 ERA and a 1.752 WHIP.

RHP Dwight "Doc" Gooden (48)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1982, Gooden signed with Houston as a free agent in January 2000 and pitched in only one game for the Astros that season before being purchased by Tampa Bay. Gooden is best remembered for his 11 seasons with the Mets, during which time he was Rookie of the Year (1984), N.L. Cy Young winner (1985) and a four-time All-Star among other noteworthy accomplishments.

SS Julio Lugo (37)
Drafted by the Astros in the 43rd round in 1994, Lugo played for Houston from 2000 until May 2003. In 366 games, he hit .268/.332/.391.

Happy Birthday - 11/16

C Jordan "Funky" Comadena (26)
If you managed to miss this article by Zachary Levine or this Q&A by Astros County or if you don't follow Funky on Twitter (@Funky2414), you have missed getting to know one of the good guys.  Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009 by none other than Jimmy Wynn, Comadena had a breakout year of sorts at the plate.  Used in a limited role at Lancaster, he managed to hit .295/.389/.432/.881 over a very sporadic 95 AB's.

If you follow him on Twitter, you will find him friendly, engaging, and always willing to answer any questions.  As a matter of fact, I asked him via twitter to tell me something "non-baseball" about himself for his birthday write-up and he responded right away.  In addition to working out and getting ready for the spring, he told me that he is in the planning stages for his wedding to fiance Alicyn to take place next November 10th in Normal, Illinois.  "It will be a big wedding and quite a few fellow Astros will hopefully be attending."  I'm sure there will be.  Everybody likes Funky.  Like I said before, he's one of the good guys.  Just don't say anything bad about his Steelers.

RHP Steve Martin (24)
Drafted out of Texas A&M in the 37th round in 2011, Martin pitched out of the bullpen for the Greeneville Astros this season with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.375.  However, against right-handed hitters, he had a 2.87 ERA and a 1.277 WHIP.  And in July, in 8 of his 16 appearances, Martin was 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA, a 0.923 WHIP and a 0.98 BA against.

I tried to get in touch with Steve for a brief interview, but I was unable to get his contact information.  I wanted to find out more about this.  Maybe next year.

Former Astros with birthdays today

LHP Rob Mallicoat (47)
Pitched in 51 games for Houston in 1987, 1991 & 1992

RHP Dwight Gooden (47)
Pitched in 1 game for Houston in 2000

SS Julio Lugo (36)
Played for Houston from 2000 to 2003