Feliz cumpleanos a Luis Aparicio, who turns 77 today. "Little Looie" spent five years (1963-1967) in Baltimore after the White Sox traded him for a trio of young hitters and Hoyt Wilhelm. Already the reigning American League steals leader in each of his first seven years in the majors, the shortstop extended his streak to nine while wearing an Orioles uniform. In 1963, he swiped 40 bags in 46 attempts for an 87% success rate. The following year he stole a career-high 57 bases, and even swatted a personal-best 10 home runs. He added a pair of Gold Gloves and a couple of All-Star selections to his already-impressive resume. Luis even had three separate five-hit games in the 1966 season, including a 5-for-6 effort with three runs scored on
June 2 as the O's erased a 5-2 deficit in topping the Angels 9-6. He was later a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 1984, along with Harmon Killebrew and Don Drysdale. Ex-White Sox double play partner Nellie Fox joined him posthumously in 1997.
Incidentally, the Orioles and White Sox start a four-game series tonight. May the best team* win!
*that wears orange
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