The Christmas Eve is a day of giving, and it seems like the baseball gods have gifted us with several notable MLB players born on December 24. Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five born on Dec. 24.
Kevin Millwood (1974)
One of the notable players born on Christmas Eve is Kevin Millwood, who was overshadowed on the late ‘90s Braves by several future Hall of Fame teammates. Millwood was an All-Star that season, led the National League with a 0.996 WHIP and finished third in the NL Cy Young voting. Other career highlights include throwing a no-hitter with the Phillies in 2003 and tossing the first six innings of a combined no-no for the Mariners in 2012.
Grégor Blanco (1983)
Another MLB player born on December 24 is Grégor Blanco was a key player for two World Series-winning Giants teams in 2012 and 2014. On June 13, 2012, Blanco helped preserve Matt Cain’s perfect game with an unbelievable diving grab in the seventh inning. Cain went on to complete the perfecto, the first in Giants franchise history.
Jamey Wright (1974)
Jamey Wright is another MLB player born on December 24, the right-handed hurler played for 10 different teams over a 19-year career, was known for leading the NL in hit-by-pitches in both 2000 and 2001. Finally making it to the postseason with the Rays in 2013, his 18th Major League season. Wright now coaches in the Minor League for the Dodgers in 2021.
William Contreras (1997)
William is one of two Major League catchers in his family. His brother, Willson, debuted with the Cubs in 2016. William and Willson are not the first brothers to catch in the big leagues at the same time as they follow in the footsteps of Bengie, José and Yadier Molina. In 2022, the Contrerases joined a shortlist of brothers to start an All-Star Game together and won a Silver Slugger Award while helping Milwaukee to the NL Central title in 2023.
Joe Quinn (1862)
Joe is an Australian native and became the first player from Down Under to play in the Major Leagues when he made his debut in 1884; he spent 17 seasons in the big leagues as an infielder and outfielder. Quinn managed the 1899 Cleveland Spiders to their 20-134 record. After Quinn, it took 102 years until the next Australian player, Craig Shipley, debuted for MLB in 1986.
Miguel Castro (1994)
The veteran right-handed reliever played for six teams over nine years. Castro, a native of the Dominican Republic, helped the D-backs to the NL pennant in 2023.
Victor Cruz (1957)
This MLB player may not be the salsa dancing NFL star, but he did play for four different teams over five seasons and was involved in three trades for notable players.
Zeke Wilson (1869)
Zeke Wilson played for three NL teams in the 1890s that have all since changed their names or ceased operations: the Boston Beaneaters, the Cleveland Spiders and the St. Louis Perfectos. He and several other Spiders players were sent from Cleveland to St. Louis in 1899 after the Spiders’ owners bought the Perfectos, thus decimating Cleveland’s roster and leading to its infamous 20-134 season.
In conclusion, it’s quite impressive to see a list that contains all of these talented and notable players born on Christmas Eve, all of whom have made quite a mark in the world of baseball. Whether it is through their athletic achievements or their contributions to the sport after their playing days, each of these individuals has left an indelible mark on the game we all love.
