11/2-3 Happy Bdays
Happy birthday Mark May. Mark was an original member of the Hogs who played for the Skins from 81-90’. Mark played in 123 games with the Redskins and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion. Mark was a Pro Bowler in 88’ and is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. Mark was a 1st round pick out of Pittsburgh where he had a stellar All-American career highlighted by his 1980 Outland Trophy award. Mark was voted into the College Football HOF in 2005. In retirement Mark wrote a must read book for all Redskins fans titled “Mark Mays Tales from the Washington Redskins.” I have read the book and it has some great inside stuff from Mark from those glory years. Mark has worked in TV for many years and currently can be seen every Saturday on ESPN covering college football. Happy 50th Mr. May.
Happy birthday Leslie Shepherd. Leslie played 5 seasons for the Redskins from 1994-98’. Leslie appeared in 56 games during that time catching 125 balls. His best season came in 98’ when he started all 16 games and had 43REC 803YDS and 9TD’s. In retirement Leslie got into coaching and is now the OC for Gwynn Park High in Brandywine, MD, where his son is a stand-out running back. Happy 40th Mr. Shepherd.
Happy birthday Sidney Ponson. Sidney played 8 seasons for the Orioles from 1998-2005. Sidney was 73W-85L with a 4.86ERA during his tenure. His best season came in 2003 when he was 14W-6L before being traded at the July 31st deadline for 3 prospects that never panned out. Sidney immediately resigned with the Orioles after the 2003 season, signing a 3 year $22.5 million dollar deal. Sidney loves the booze however, and after his 2nd DWI the O’s released him and refused to pay the remaining money on the deal. Sidney finally settled with the Orioles this year and also pitched for the Royals last season, going 1-7 with a 7.36ERA…which may be the last we see of Sidney. Happy 33rd Mr. Ponson.
Happy birthday Sam Horn. Sam played 3 seasons in Baltimore from 1990-92’. He crushed 42HR’s during that time while driving in 125. Sam played 1b and DH and cut an imposing figure at 6’5” and 250lbs. Sam’s career in an Oriole uniform is marked by a high and a low point. The high point being the opening game of the 90’ season when he hit 2HR’s and drove in 6. The low point coming in 92’ when he struck out 6 times in one game! Sam remains a popular figure in the Boston area where he works for NESN and has a website devoted to him. The Toy Department caught up with him this year. Happy 46th Mr. Horn.
Happy birthday Armando Benitez. Armando played 5 seasons for the Orioles from 1994-98’. Armando Won 11 games, saved 37 and had a 3.62ERA during his Orioles tenure. His fastball regularly reached 100+ miles per hour (and Yankees backs.) Armando’s best season was the 97 season when the Orioles went wire to wire in first place. Armando was 4W-5L with 9 saves and a 2.45 ERA as Randy Mayer’s set up man. Alas, Armando sucked in the postseason losing 2 games to the Indians in the ALCS and allowing a Tony Fernandez HR in game 6. Armando was traded to the Marlins after the 98’ season for catcher Charles Johnson. Armando would go on to make 2 All Star games and save 289 games during his 15 season career. Happy 37th Mr. Benitez.
Cheers and Hail
