Good morning! It’s 5:00 AM UTC and here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for Dec. 23.
1. Jerry Koosman (1942)
Koosman went 222-209 in a 19-year career with the Mets, Twins, White Sox and Phillies, compiling a 53.7 bWAR that is not only tops among players born on this day but also leads all pitchers born in Minnesota.
2. Sam Leever (1871)
A turn-of-the-20th-century right-hander, Leever was a four-time 20-game winner, with his best season coming in the Pirates’ 1903 NL championship season.
3. Hanley Ramirez (1983)
Ramirez won the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year Award after batting .292/.353/.480 with 46 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs, 59 RBIs and 51 stolen bases for the Marlins.
4. Victor Martinez (1978)
A switch-hitting catcher-turned-DH with a strong batting eye, Martinez made five All-Star teams and won two Silver Slugger Awards in a 16-year career.