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

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