Blow Out the Candles -- October 7

Hall of Famer Chuck Klein was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on this date in 1904.

Fan favorite, Jose Cardenal, born in Matanzas, Cuba is celebrating his 68th birthday today.

"I tried to have fun when I played, and I think the fans remember that."

Poet, essayist and naturalist Diane Ackerman is celebrating her 63rd birthday today.

Diane is best known for her book, A Natural History of the Senses, publish in 1990.  In 1995 it was made into the Nova mini-series Mystery of the Senses which was charmingly hosted by the author.

"Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of the Senses is an aphrodisiac for the sense receptors. Read a chapter, then step outside and voila: The sky is a deeper blue, the birds sing a sweeter song. How could the world seem otherwise, after feasting on such voluptuous prose?"
--Chicago Tribune

One of Diane Ackerman's poems:

School Prayer

In the name of the daybreak
and the eyelids of morning
and the wayfaring moon
and the night when it departs,

I swear I will not dishonor
my soul with hatred,
but offer myself humbly
as a guardian of nature,
as a healer of misery,
as a messenger of wonder,
as an architect of peace.

In the name of the sun and its mirrors
and the day that embraces it
and the cloud veils drawn over it
and the uttermost night
and the male and the female
and the plants bursting with seed
and the crowning seasons
of the firefly and the apple,

I will honor all life
—wherever and in whatever form
it may dwell—on Earth my home,
and in the mansions of the stars.

From her newest book:

World renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma is 56 today.

Blow Out the Candles

1975 Topps #15

Today former Cub Jose Cardenal turns 66. Probably known best today for his outstanding afro I remember Jose as a guy who loved baseball and had fun playing it.
Here's a quote from Jose from the July 15, 1968 issue of Sports Illustrated,
"Jose Cardenal, Cleveland Indians, wiry (151 pounds) outfielder, on working with the team's 6-foot, 195-pound bat boy: "I look at him and I feel weak. It is bad psychologically when you have to reach up and get the bat from the bat boy."

2003 Topps Gallery #ARCK

Phillies great, Chuck Klein, "The Hoosier Hammer" was born on this date in 1904. Chuck holds the record for most home run hit in a players first two calendar years (83). He was the NL MVP in 1932 and won the triple crown in '33. He's one of only 15 players in major league history to hit 4 home runs in a game (July 10, 1936). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

Also, celebrating his 54th birthday today is cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Author, poet and naturalist Diane Ackerman turns 61 today. She is best known for her wonderful book, A Natural History of the Senses which was made into a PBS mini-series. Here's one of her poems:

Happy Birthday to all!