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!