Right here’s a subjective rating of the highest 5 for Feb. 12:
1) Chet Lemon (1955)You is likely to be questioning how Lemon might high this record. Or, you would possibly even be questioning who Lemon is. Nicely, this sweet-swinging, swish heart fielder has essentially the most profession WAR of anybody born on this date, 55.6, which additionally occurs to be greater than, oh, David Ortiz, Joe Mauer and Corridor of Famers Hank Greenberg and George Sisler. After a short callup in 1975, Lemon performed 15 extra seasons with the White Sox and Tigers, surpassing 100 video games performed in 14 of them. He was a three-time All-Star and his finest season statistically was 1979, when he hit .318 with an AL-leading 44 doubles. However the pinnacle of his profession got here in 1984, when he was the beginning heart fielder for the traditionally nice Tigers workforce that gained the World Collection. Lemon made a catch in Recreation 3 towards the Padres that truly drew comparisons to Willie Mays. Lastly, Lemon recorded not less than 400 outfield putouts 5 instances, which stays an AL file.
2) Dom DiMaggio (1917)The youngest of three brothers who shaped one of many nice households in baseball historical past, DiMaggio spent 11 seasons within the bigs, all with the Crimson Sox within the Nineteen Forties and ’50s, albeit interrupted by a three-year stint within the Navy throughout World Battle II. The middle fielder/leadoff hitter was a seven-time All-Star who exceeded 700 plate appearances 4 instances. His finest season was 1950, when he hit .328 and led the AL in runs (131), triples (11) and stolen bases (15). DiMaggio, nicknamed “The Little Professor,” at all times performed within the shadow of massive brother Joe with the Yankees (Vince was the third brother). However Crimson Sox teammate Johnny Pesky referred to as Dom “the just about good ballplayer, so sensible and so proficient.”
3) Chick Hafey (1903)Hafey is noteworthy not just for being a Corridor of Famer however for getting the primary hit in All-Star Recreation historical past, because the cleanup hitter for the Nationwide League within the inaugural 1933 Midsummer Basic. The left fielder performed 13 seasons with the Cardinals and Reds within the Twenties and ’30s, successful two World Collection with St. Louis. Hafey hit not less than .330 4 straight seasons with the Cardinals and gained the NL batting title at .349 in 1931, when he completed fifth in MVP voting.
4) Todd Frazier (1986)The “Toddfather” has spent greater than a decade as a Main League third baseman with six groups, largely with the Reds. However he is likely to be most recognized for successful the 1998 Little League World Collection and what adopted quickly after. Frazier completed third in 2012 NL Rookie of the Yr voting gained by Bryce Harper and was a two-time All-Star with Cincinnati. He additionally gained the 2015 House Run Derby in entrance of his house followers at Nice American Ball Park.
5) Don Wilson (1945)The proper-hander performed his complete nine-year profession with the Astros within the Sixties and ’70s and gained greater than 100 video games (104). Wilson’s finest season was 1971, when he went 16-10 with a 2.45 ERA and made his lone All-Star workforce.
Others of observe:Joe Garagiola (1926)The longtime catcher, notably with the Cardinals within the late Nineteen Forties, is thought extra for his profession as a broadcaster and show-business character. Garagiola was the analyst for years alongside Curt Gowdy on NBC’s Saturday “Recreation of the Week,” then ventured past baseball with stints on “The Right this moment Present.” and as co-host of the annual Westminster Kennel Membership Canine Present, and a lot extra. His son Joe Jr. previously was the D-backs’ basic supervisor and continues to be within the workforce’s entrance workplace.
Pat Dobson (1942)Dobson was a part of the famed 1971 Orioles rotation by which all 4 starters gained 20 video games. He was an All-Star for the one time the subsequent season. The proper-hander performed for six groups throughout 11 seasons and gained 122 video games.
