Today’s birthday wishes

Today marks what would have been the 84th birthday for the late, great No. 8, Willie Stargell, who – along with fellow Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner – is the most feared power hitter in the long, storied history of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stargell, the soul of the Pirates during their dominant run in the 1970s and one of the game’s greatest ambassadors, passes away at the start of the 2001 season.

His Hall of Fame resume comes from a 21-year career with Pittsburgh, where he hits .282 with 475 homers and 1,540 runs batted in.

Cannot forget to mention today also is the 85th birthday of Cookie Rojas, the hero of every bespectacled kid playing baseball during the 1960s and early ’70s.

Rojas spends 16 seasons in the majors, batting .263 overall for four teams – Cincinnati, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City.

He also earns five All-Star Game selections – one with the Phillies in 1965 and then four with the Royals from 1971-74.