March 19

Well, what a difference a day makes. Today we actually have not just a star, but a Hall of Famer to look at. First off, though, a Happy Birthday to current Major Leaguers Clayton Kershaw, Jason LaRue, David Ross, Landon Powell, and Matt Downs.

Our clear-cut best offensive (and overall) player born on March 19 is Phillies Hall of Fame outfielder Richie Ashburn. Ashburn played from 1948-1962, making four All Star teams and racking up 2,574 hits. He also posted a career .396 OBP. Ashburn was elected to the Hall in 1995 by the Veteran's Committee.

The only other offensive players of note are Gee Walker, a solid one-time All Star outfielder for the Tigers, White Sox, Senators, Indians and Reds from 1931-1945, and Bill Wambsganss, a second baseman for the Indians, Red Sox and A's from 1914-1926. Walker had a long and fairly average career - nearly 2,000 hits, but a lifetime OPS+ of just 99. Wambsganss was even worse offensively, but he gets a mention because of the 1920 World Series. In Game 5, he turned an unassisted triple play against the Dodgers, the first triple play in World Series history.

As far as pitchers go, there isn't a lot happening today. Mike Norris, who pitched for the A's from 1976-1983 and then made 14 appearances for them in 1990, pitched by far the most of anyone born today. He only managed an ERA+ of 97 while going 58-59 in his career, but he did win 22 games in 1980 with a 2.53 ERA, finishing second in the Cy Young voting and winning the first of two Gold Gloves. Kershaw could definitely surpass him in the next few years, however, and claim the coveted title of Best Pitcher Ever Born on March 19.