Birthdays This Week! September 29, 2025

 

1. Robin Roberts — Born September 30, 1926 MLB.com+2Baseball Reference+2
   Roberts was a Hall of Fame right‑handed pitcher, and one of the workhorses of 1950s Major League Baseball. He won 286 games in his career, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies, and led the league in wins multiple times. He was an All‑Star for seven straight years (1950–1956) and is celebrated for his 1952 season when he went 28–7 with a 2.59 ERA over 330 innings. MLB.com+2Baseball Reference+2 Roberts also once pitched 28 consecutive complete games spanning 1952–53. MLB.com+1 His consistency, durability, and dominance during the ’50s solidify his role as one of the era’s premier starters.

2. Kenley Jansen — Born September 30, 1987 MLB.com+2Famous Birthdays+2
   Kenley Jansen transitioned from catcher to elite closer and became one of the most reliable late‑inning arms in modern MLB. He is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ all‑time saves leader. Over his career he earned multiple All-Star selections, especially during his peak years from 2016 to 2018, when he recorded 126 saves and posted high leverage performance. MLB.com+1 His ability to convert in pressure situations, along with his longevity, makes him a standout for closers of his generation.

3. Nap Rucker — Born September 30, 1884 MLB.com
   Rucker was a left‑handed pitcher in the early 20th century, mainly with Brooklyn (then the Superbas / Dodgers lineage). He threw the first no-hitter in Dodgers (or their antecedent franchise) history on September 5, 1908, blanking the Boston Doves and striking out 14 in the process—an outstanding feat of the Deadball Era. MLB.com Rucker’s career highlight and his place in early pitching lore remain remembered among fans of the era.

4. Rod Carew — Born October 1, 1945 MLB.com
   Rod Carew is one of the greatest contact hitters in MLB history. His 19-year career included 15 consecutive .300+ batting average seasons, seven batting titles, and an American League MVP award in 1977 when he batted .388 while leading MLB in runs, hits, triples, and OPS. MLB.com He was an All-Star almost every year, and his batting consistency, bat control, and ability to hit to all fields made him a model of hitting excellence. Carew was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. MLB.com

5. Dennis Eckersley — Born October 3, 1954 MLB.com
   Eckersley had a rare career arc: beginning as a starting pitcher, then reinventing himself as one of the most dominant closers ever. He threw a no-hitter as a starter on May 30, 1977, and later, as a reliever, amassed 390 saves. MLB.com His transformation redefined the closer role, and in 1992 he won both the AL Cy Young and MVP awards (with a 1.91 ERA and 51 saves). MLB.com

6. Dave Winfield — Born October 3, 1951 MLB.com
   Dave Winfield was a multi-talented outfielder selected in multiple pro sport drafts but ultimately found his place in baseball. Over 22 seasons, he hit 465 home runs, drove in 1,833 runs, won seven Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers, and was a 12-time All-Star. MLB.com Known for his athleticism, strong arm, and power, Winfield is a Hall of Famer whose consistency and all-around skills made him a perennial top performer across the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.

7. Maury Wills — Born October 2, 1932 MLB.com+1
   Maury Wills was one of the most electrifying base stealers in modern baseball. He led the National League in stolen bases six straight years starting in 1960, and his 104 steals in 1962 powered him to the NL MVP award that year. MLB.com+1 Wills also was a key part of three World Series champion teams with the Dodgers (1959, 1963, 1965). His aggressive baserunning helped spark a strategic shift in how teams viewed speed and base paths.

8. Cam Bedrosian — Born October 2, 1991 Famous Birthdays+1
   Cam Bedrosian, son of former Cy Young winner Steve Bedrosian, was a first-round pick and made it to MLB in 2014 as a reliever. Over his career he pitched for the Angels, Reds, A’s, and Phillies, compiling a 17–13 record with a 3.81 ERA. Wikipedia His career shows the lineage and challenges of relievers making their mark, and being the son of an accomplished pitcher adds biographical interest.

9. Xander Bogaerts — Born October 1, 1992 Wikipedia
   Xander Bogaerts has been a fixture at shortstop (and later second base) for the Boston Red Sox and, more recently, the San Diego Padres. He’s won multiple Silver Slugger awards, been a multi-time All-Star, and is the Red Sox’s all‑time leader in games played at shortstop. Wikipedia Bogaerts helped Boston to two World Series championships (2013, 2018) and is known for his bat, glove, and consistency. His move to a long contract with the Padres cements his status as a star in the modern era.