Players born on Christmas day.
Nellie Fox
Although known primarily as a Chicago White Sox, Fox began his career as an Athletic. In one of the all-time great trades, the Sox obtained Fox straight up for back-up catcher Joe Tipton, a mid-level catcher who played just a shade over 300 games after the deal.
Nellie was a strong defensive second basemen, winning three gold gloves and placing first in defensive win shares five times. In terms of defensive WAR, his total of 10.0 places him 69th on the all-time list. He also lead the AL in putouts for 10 years in a row. His total zone runs saved as a 2B score of 95 is 4th all-time.
Offensively he posted a 93+ OPS for his career, although he did have a few standout seasons, including his MVP season of 1959 and a strong 1957 campaign where he hit .317. Fox had a TERRIFIC batting eye. During his MVP season he walked 71 times vs only 13 strikeouts! Fox’s career BB total of 719 vs 216 K is simply amazing, even during his era.
Nellie was elected to the HOF by the Veterans Committee in 1995.
Ricky Henderson
What else is there to say about Rickey? He’s the all-time leader in runs scored and stolen bases.
Bill James Quote:
Somebody asked me did I think Rickey Henerson was a Hall of Famer. I told them, “If you could spit him in two, you’d have two Hall of Famers.”
Even with limited playing time, Rickey has 283 SB and 446 runs scored during his minor league career.
Sadly, he only received 94.8% one his HOF ballot.
Manny Trillo
A former four-time all-star, three time gold glove winner and the 1980 NLCS MVP (hitting .381), Manny Trillo was born on Dec 25th, 1950 in Venezuela.
Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur in 1968, Trillo bounced around during his 17 season MLB career, suiting up for eight MLB clubs. He was used as a trading piece in two high profile deals during his career, the first taking place in 1974 in a trade that sent Billy Williams out of Chicago. The second deal was the five for one (including Julio Franco) trade by the Phillies to acquire Von Hayes back in Dec of 1982. He also played a few months in Montreal during the 1983 season, acquired for a minor leaguer and $300 K.
Known as a defensive whiz with a canon, Trillo lead 2B in assists four times, range factor three times and putouts twice. His 1518 games played at 2B is good for 33rd all-time.
On the offensive end of the spectrum, Manny was below average throughout his career, with a total 81+ OPS score. He hit only 61 HR in close to 6000 AB, and was caught stealing (57) more often than successfully swiping a bag (56). Oddly enough, even with minimal offensive output, Trillo won back to back Silver Sluggers at 2B in 1980 & 1981
Trillo appeared on the 1995 HOF ballot. He finished 39th out of 39, receiving no votes.
