Andrew Neal Allanson, is a former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for eight seasons, from 1986 to 1995. Andy was signed as a second-round pick in the 1983 amateur draft, by the Cleveland Indians and scout Bobby Malkmus. Allanson was an exceptional defensive receiver with a powerful throwing arm, who would sometimes throw to the bases without standing up. Allanson would break into the Major Leagues on April 7, 1986, starting Opening Day behind the plate for the Indians. He went 3?4 with one run batted in, helping the Indians defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6?4. A lithe, take-charge catcher, Allanson's handling of the 1986 Cleveland pitching staff was in part responsible for the Indians resurgent, 84?78 mark. He was named the Topps All-Rookie catcher. Despite his size, Allanson did not hit a home run until his 1,025th pro at-bat, in the Kingdome that June 23. The Indians, feeling they were perhaps a better-hitting, veteran catcher away from contention, signed Rick Dempsey for 1987, demoting Allanson. Cleveland finished last, and Allanson was again the starting catcher in 1988. [More at Wikipedia]

December 22nd, 1961 in Richmond (Age 62)