Blow Out the Candles -- November 18

Former player and respected manager Gene Mauch was born in Salina, Kansas on this date in 1925.

1961 Topps #219

 Mauch managed four teams including the 1964 Phillies infamous for blowing a 6-1/2 game lead with 12 to play and losing the pennant to the Cardinals by one game. He was the Montreal Expos first manager. He also managed the Twins and came close to getting the Angels to the World Series in both 1982 and 86. He finished his career with a record of 1902-2037.

"Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning you got off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you're in a slump. If you lose at the end, you're choking."

"I'm not the manager because I'm always right, but I'm always right because I'm the manager."

Astronaut Alan B. Shepard was born on this date in 1923.

On May 15, 1961Shepard became the first American to fly into space. Shepard is also one of only 12 men to have walked on the Moon. As commander of the Apollo 14 mission he spent over 9 hours walking on the lunar surface in the Fra Mauro region.