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

Globe Printing & 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.

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, or any of its teams.

 

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

Topps Co & Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Bob Shaw was born on this date in 1933. He pitched of the Syracuse Chiefs in 1956.

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, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Al Downing, Binghamton Triplets (1961, '68)

Credits: NY Yankees via Trading Card Database

Happy 80th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Al Downing. He pitched for the Binghamton Triplets in 1961 (9-1, 1.84 ERA) and 1968 (1-4, 3.48 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, or any of its teams.

 

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

Credits: Topps Co. & 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, or any of its teams.

 

Today's Birthday: Dick Tettelbach, Binghamton Triplets (1953)

Credit: SABR

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, or any of its teams.

 

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

Source: Baseball Reference

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, or any of its teams.

 

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

Topps Co. & Trading Card Database

Happy 86th Birthday to former Eastern League prospect Charlie Dees! He played in the Eastern League during three seasons for the Springfield Giants (1958, '60-'61.

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, or any of its teams.