Who are the best players born on each day of the year? We have a list for every day on the calendar.
Here's a subjective ranking of the top five for March 14.
1) Kirby Puckett (1960)
The lone Hall of Famer born on March 14, the 5-foot-8, 210-pound center fielder showed that legends can come in all shapes and sizes. A 10-time All-Star who played with unbridled enthusiasm, Puckett won six Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards, a batting title and led Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. He's best remembered for his performance in Game 6 of the 1991 Fall Classic, when he made a sensational catch and hit a walk-off homer with the Twins on the brink of elimination. Unfortunately, Puckett's career was cut short by an eye injury after he was hit in the face by a pitch in 1995.
2) Kevin Brown (1965)
Over the course of his 19-year career, Brown earned six All-Star nominations, two ERA titles and a World Series ring (1997). In 1996, Brown led the league with a career-low 1.89 ERA, three shutouts and a 0.944 WHIP as a member of the Florida Marlins. His standout season earned him an All-Star spot and second place in Cy Young voting. While Brown never won a Cy Young Award, he finished in the top six five times throughout his career.
3) Marty McManus (1900)
McManus' baseball career spanned 28 years, including 15 as a player. The infielder made his Major League debut in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns, where he played for seven years. McManus made stops in Detroit and Boston (with both the Red Sox and Braves). He served as a player/manager for the Red Sox for parts of the 1932 and '33 seasons. Ten years after his playing career ended, McManus was hired to manage the Kenosha Comets, a club in the All-American Girls Professional League. McManus briefly returned to men's baseball, but resigned to finish his career with another AAGPL club, the South Bend Blue Sox, in 1948.
4) Billy Rhines (1869)
The submarine delivering righty made his debut in 1890 with the Cincinnati Reds. After a no-decision in his first game, Rhines went on to win his next six starts en route to a 28-win season. Rhines had two career ERA titles, the first coming in '90 (1.95) and the second in '96 (2.45). The submarine style -- a pitch with a release point just above the ground -- was popularized in the early twentieth century, and while Rhines wasn't the first to use it, he has been considered one of the most influential pitchers to use the delivery.
5) Bill Hoskins (1914)
Hoskins spent a decade playing in the Negro Leagues, compiling a .322 average. In 1941, Hoskins batted .340, helping him earn his sole All-Star selection. He led the NNL in homers in '40 and triples in '41.
Others of note
Marwin Gonzalez (1989)
Gonzalez made his Major League debut on April 6, 2012, with the Astros. He was a member of the '17 World Series championship team and finished 19th in MVP Award voting that season.
Candy Nelson (1849)
Nelson was a Major League player with a Major League mustache. Nelson spent six seasons in the American Association, four in the National Association and four in the National League.
Jack Rothrock (1905)
The first eight years of Rothrock's career were spent with a struggling Boston club (1925-32). Though he didn't put up any eye-popping numbers, Rothrock had the achievement of playing every single position for the Red Sox in '28. In a year the team won just 57 games and finished in last place, Rothrock made his way around the diamond. He played 53 games across the outfield, 17 at third, 16 at first, 13 at short, two at second, one behind the plate and pitched one inning of relief.
Want to see more baseball birthdays for March 14??Find the complete list?on Baseball Reference.