Today's Birthday: Steve Hamilton (Reading Indians, 1959)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect Steve Hamilton was born on this date in 1934. He pitched for the Reading Indians in 1959 (13-10, 3.77 ERA).

Hamilon attended Morehead State University and played basketball in the NBA for the Minneapolis Lakers during two seasons.

He played in the majors during 12 seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1961), Washington Senators (1962-63), New York Yankees (1963-70), Chicago White Sox (1970), San Francisco Giants (1971) and Chicago Cubs (1972).

After his playing days, he coached for the Detroit Tigers in 1975. He was the head baseball coach (1976-89) and athletic director (1988-97 at Morehead State University.

Hamilton died of cancer on December 2, 1997 at the age of 63.

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: Johnny Lipon (Manager - Charleston Indians, 1962-63; Buffalo Bisons, 1981; Nashua Pirates, 1985)

 

Credits: TCMA via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League manager Johnny Lipon was born on this date in 1922.

He managed in the Eastern League for the Charleston Indians (1962-63), Buffalo Bisons (1981), and Nashua Pirates (1985). 

Lipon played in the majors during 9 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1942, '46, '48-'52), Boston Red Sox (1952-53), St. Louis Browns (1953) and Cincinnati Reds (1954). 

After his playing days, Lipon managed in the minor leagues for over 30 years and managed the Cleveland Indians for for 59 games in 1971 (18-41).

Lipon died on August 17, 1998, at the age of 75.  

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: Putsy Caballero (Utica Blue Sox, 1945-47)

Source: Find a Grave

Former Eastern League prospect Putsy Caballero was born on this date in 1927 in New Orleans. He played for the Utica Blue Sox during the 1945, '46, and '47 seasons.

Caballero played for the Philadelphia Phillies during 8 seasons (1945-46, 1947-52).

He died on December 8, 2016, at the age of 2016.

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: Pumpsie Green (Albany Senators, 1956)

Credits: Topps Co via Trading Card Database

 

Former Eastern League prospect Pumpsie Green was born on this date in 1933. He played for the 1956 Albany Senators.

Green went on to become the first black to play for the Boston Red Sox and played in the majors during five seasons with the Red Sox (1959-62) and New York Mets (1963).

After he retired from baseball, he taught math and coached baseball at a high school in Berkeley, California. He died July 17, 2019, at the age of 85. 

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: Wilbur Wood (Johnstown Red Sox, 1961 & York White Roses, 1962)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

 

Happy 79th birthday to former Eastern League prospect Wilbur Wood. He played in the Eastern League during two seasons for the Johnstown Red Sox (1961) and York White Roses (1962).

Wood spent 17 seasons in the majors, pitching for the Boston Red Sox (1961-64), Pittsburgh Pirates (1964-65), Chicago White Sox (1967-78).

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: Al Gallagher (Manager, 1983 Buffalo Bisons)

Credits: TCMA via Trading Card Database

 

Former Eastern League manager Al Gallagher was born on this date in 1945. He managed the Buffalo Bisons to a 74-65 record during the 1983 season.

Gallagher played in the majors during four seasons with the San Francisco Giants (1970-73) and California Angels (1973). After his playing career, he managed for several seasons in the minor and independent leagues.

He died on December 6, 2018, at the age of 73.

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: George "Catfish" Metkovich (Hartford Bees, 1942)

Credits: Topps Co. via Trading Card Database

Former Eastern League prospect George "Catfish" Metkovich. He played for the Hartford Bees in 1942.

Metkovich played in the majors during 10 seasons with the Boston Bees (1943-46), Cleveland Indians (1947), Chicago White Sox (1949), Pittsburgh Pirates (1951-52, '53), Chicago Cubs (1953) and Milwaukee Braves (1954).

He died on May 17, 1995, at age of 74.

Source: Baseball Reference

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