Today's Birthday: Joe Stephenson (Springfield Rifles, 1943)

Credits: Globe Printing via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Joe Stephenson was born on this date in 1921. He played in 106 games for the 1943 Springfield Rifles (.231, 2 HR).

Stephenson played in the major leagues during three seasons appearing in a total of 29 games for the New York Giants (9 games in 1943), Chicago Cubs (4 games in 1944) and Chicago White Sox (16 games in 1947).

After his playing career, Stephenson worked as a major league scout and died on September 20, 2001 at the age of 80.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Bob Shaw (Syracuse Chiefs, 1956)

Credits: Post Cereal via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Bob Shaw was born on this date in 1933. He pitched of the Syracuse Chiefs in 1956 (6-7, 3.26 ERA).

He played in the major league during 11 seasons for the Detroit Tigers (1957-58), Chicago White Sox (1958-61), Kansas City Athletics (1961), Milwaukee Braves (1962-63), San Francisco Giants (1964-66), New York Mets (1966-67) and Chicago Cubs (1967).

After his playing career, Shaw coached and managed in the minor leagues and was a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973. He died on September 22, 2010 at the age of 77.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Al Downing (Binghamton Triplets, 1961)

Credits: NY Yankees via Trading Card Database

Happy 79th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Al Downing. He pitched for the Binghamton Triplets in 1961 (9-1, 1.84 ERA).

Downing played 17 seasons in the major leagues for the New York Yankees (1961-69), Oakland Athletics (1970), Milwaukee Brewers (1970) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1971-77).

He is remembered for giving up Hank Aaron's record breaking 715th career home run in 1974.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Lou Kretlow (Williamsport Grays, 1946)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Lou Kretlow was born on this date in 1921. He pitched for the Williamsport Grays in 1946 (10-7, 3.56 ERA).

Kretlow went on to play in the major leagues during 10 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1946, '48-'49), St. Louis Browns (1950, '53), Chicago White Sox (1950-53), Baltimore Orioles (1954-55) and Kansas City Athletics (1956).

After baseball, he was a golf pro. Kretlow died on September 12, 2007 at the age of 86.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Dick Tettelbach

Credit: Society for American Baseball Research

Former Eastern League prospect Dick Tettelbach was born on this date in 1929.

He played baseball at Yale University (1948-50) and was a teammate of future president George H.W. Bush.

He played in 122 games for the Eastern League Binghamton Triplets in 1953.

Tettelbach played for the New York Yankees (1955) and Washington Senators (1956-57), appearing in a total of 29 major league games.

He died on January 26, 1995 at the age of 65 and was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2006.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Alex Garbowski (Utica Blue Sox, 1948)

Photo Credits: The Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania via Newspapers.com

Former Eastern League prospect Alex Garbowski was born on this date in 1922. He played for the Utica Blue Sox in 1948 appearing in 138 games (.301/.301/.408) and led the league in runs scored with 100.

Garbowski appeared in two games for the 1952 Detroit Tigers as a pinch-runner.

After his baseball career, he worked as a pipe fitter in Yonkers, New York. He died on June 27, 2008 at the age of 86.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Charlie Dees (Springfield Giants, 1958, '60-'61)

Credits: Jay Publishing via Trading Card Database

Happy 85th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Charlie Dees! He played in the Eastern League during three seasons for the Springfield Giants.

Dees played for the Los Angels California Angels during three seasons (1963-65).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Deacon Donahue (1943 Utica Braves)

Former Eastern League prospect Deacon Donahue was born on this date in 1920. He played for the Utica Braves in 1943(8-18, 5.18 ERA).

Donahue pitched in a total of 8 games for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1943 and '44 seasons, finishing his major league career with a record of 0-2 and a 6.75 ERA.

He died on March 6, 2008 at the age of 87.

Source: Baseball Reference

Photo Credits: The Owensboro (Kentucky) Messenger via Newspapers.com

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Faye Throneberry (Scranton Miners/Red Sox)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Faye Throneberry was born on this date in 1931. He played for the Scranton Miners (1950) & Red Sox (1951).

Throneberry played in the majors during 8 seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1952, '55-'57), Washington Senators (1957-60) and Los Angeles Angels (1961).

The brother of Marv Throneberry, Faye died on April 26, 1999 at the age of 67.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Dave Downs

Credit: Baseball Reference

Happy 68th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Dave Downs. He pitched for the 1972 Reading Phillies (15-7, 2.41 ERA).

He played in four games for the 1972 Philadelphia Phillies (1-1, 2.74 ERA).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Clem Koshorek

Credits: Bowman via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Clem Koshorek was born on this date in 1925. He played for the Williamsport Tigers in 1947.

Koshorek played in 98 games for the 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates and 1 game for the Pirates in 1953.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Hank Mason

Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Hank Mason was born on this date in 1931. Mason played for the Schenectady Blue Jays in 1955 and '56.

He played in a total of four major league games for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1958 and '60 seasons.

Mason was a Methodist minister after his baseball career and died on May 29, 2020 at the age of 88.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Irv Medlinger

Credits: Parkhurst via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Irv Medlinger was born on this date in 1927. He played for the Scranton Red Sox in 1948 (10-5, 3.31 ERA).

Medlinger pitched for the St. Louis Browns in a total of 9 games during the 1949 and '51 seasons.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Dave Pope

Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Dave Pope was born on this date in 1921. He played for the Wilkes-Barre Indians in 1951 and '52.

Pope played in the majors during four seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1952, '54-'55, '56) and the Baltimore Orioles (1955-56).

He attended the University of Pittsburgh prior to serving in the Army during World War II. After his discharge, he played for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords in the Negro National League and was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1950.

Pope died on August 28, 1999 at the age of 78.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Ernie Johnson

Credits: Johnston Cookies via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Ernie Johnson was born on this date in 1924. Johnson played in the Eastern League during four seasons with the Hartford Bees/Chiefs (1942, '46, '47, '48 and '50).

He pitched in the majors during 9 seasons for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1950, '52-'58) and the Baltimore Orioles (1959).

Johnson was a broadcaster for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves for several years and is the father of broadcaster Ernie Johnson, Jr.

He died on August 12, 2011 at the age of 87.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Ben Flowers

Credits: Boston Red Sox via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Ben Flowers was born on this date in 1927. He pitched for the Scranton Red Sox during the 1949 (11-9, 3.35 ERA) and 1951 (17-8, 3.26 ERA) seasons.

Flowers pitched in the majors during four seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1951, '53), Detroit Tigers (1955), St. Louis Cardinals (1955-56) and Philadelphia Phillies (1956).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Herb Plews

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Herb Plews was born on this date in 1928. He played for the Binghamton Triplets in 1953.

Plews went on to play in the majors during four seasons with the Washington Senators (1956-59) and Boston Red Sox (1959). After appearing in 13 games with the Red Sox, continued to play in the minor leagues until 1965.

He died on December 12, 2014, at the age of 86.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Mel Parnell

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Mel Parnell was born on this date in 1922. Parnell pitched for the the 1946 Scranton Red Sox (13-4, 1.30 ERA).

He played for the Boston Red Sox for ten seasons (1947-56), compiling a career record of 123-75. Parnell was a twenty game winner during two seasons (25-7 in 1949 and 21-8 in 1953). He was named to the American League All Star team in 1949 and '51.

After his playing career, he was the head baseball coach at Tulane University and managed in the minor leagues. He worked as a broadcaster during the 1960's.

Parnell died on March 20, 2012 at the age of 89.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Jim Mains

Credit: Baseball Reference

Former Eastern League prospect Jim Mains was born on this date in 1922. He played in the Eastern League during three seasons with the Utica Braves (1943) and Elmira Pioneers (1944, '47).

Mains pitched in one game for the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics (8 IP, 0-1, 5.63 ERA).

Prior to his professional career, he attended Harvard University from 1941 to 1943. Mains' father, Willard Mains played major league baseball during the 1800's.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

News from the Eastern League on June 11, 1946

Scranton leads league. Williamsport in cellar after tough loss to Albany. Full slate of games scheduled today.

Source: The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pennsylvania via Newspapers.com

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Hank Foiles

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Happy 91st Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Hank Foiles. He played for the Binghamton Triplets during the 1949 and '50 seasons.

Foiles played in the majors during 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (1953, '62-'63), Cleveland Indians (1953, '55-'56, '60), Pittsburgh Pirates (1956-59), Kansas City Athletics (1960), Detroit Tigers (1960), Baltimore Orioles (1961), Los Angeles Angels (1963-64). He played in the 1957 All-Star game for the National League.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Phil Paine

Credits: Johnston Cookies via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Phil Paine was born on this date in 1930. He played for two seasons in the Eastern League for the Hartford Chiefs (1950-51).

Paine pitched in the majors during six seasons with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1951, '54-'57) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1958). He appeared in 95 games and had a career record of 10-1 with a 3.36 ERA.

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.

Today's Birthday: Roy Jarvis

Credits: Target via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Roy Jarvis was born on this date in 1926. He played for the Albany Senators in 1948.

Jarvis played in one game for the 1944 Brooklyn Dodgers and played in a total of 21 games in Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1946 and 1947 seasons.

He worked as a salesman after his baseball career and died in January 13, 1990 at the age of 63.

Source: Baseball Almanac

Today's Birthday: Duke Sims

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Duke Sims was born on this date in 1941. He played for Charleston Indians during two seasons (1962-63).

Sims went on to play in the major leagues for 11 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1964-1970), Los Angeles Dodgers (1971-72), Detroit Tigers (1972-73), New York Yankees (1973-74) and Texas Rangers (1974).

Source: Baseball Reference

Eastern League History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the Eastern League, or any of its teams.