Even though Mason Fluharty has pitched in 40-plus games for the Blue Jays this season, I first discovered him at the start of the Dodgers' recent losing streak just this past Sunday. (The Dodgers are not repeating).
I'm not a Blue Jays fan, but his arrival in MLB this year is notable for me. He is the 18th major league left-hander to be born on International Left-handers Day, which ... uh ... was yesterday.
I've written tributes to lefties on Left-handers Day in the past (I'm left-handed). I'm going to do it again. Today. A day late. Because that sounds like something a lefty would do, right?
I figured out all the MLB lefties who were born on Aug. 13, Left-handers Day, and will go through them now, with minimal commentary because all you righties aren't going to read this anyway. (The guy can't even do this on time!)
1. WINGO ANDERSON
Years active: 1910
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Reds
Card featured: 1910 T210 (Old Mill Cigarettes)
I don't own this
2. LEFTY GEORGE
Years active: 1911-12, 1915, 1918
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Browns, Indians, Reds, Braves
Card used: 1912 T207 (brown background)
I don't own this
I don't own this
During the first 80 years or so of MLB's history every left-hander was labeled "lefty," just to single them out even more. But this is the only one of the 18 to feature that nickname.
3. KEMP WICKER
Years active: 1936-38, 1941
Position: Pitcher (sensing a theme?)
Teams: Yankees, Dodgers
Card used: 1990 Target Dodgers 100th Anniversary
Hey, I have this card!
4. WES FLOWERS
Years active: 1940, 1944
Position: pitcher
Teams: Dodgers
Card shown: 1990 Target Dodgers 100th Anniversary
Sadly, this is one of the ones from this set I don't have
5. WILMER "VINEGAR BEND" MIZELL
Years active: 1952, 1956-62
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Cardinals, Pirates, Mets
Card shown: 1956 Topps
My copy
Even though he pitched before I was born, this is the first Aug. 13 lefty I was aware of as a fan, and I think this card was the first of these guys in my collection.
Also, interesting that he is referred to as "Wilmer" here, was always known more as "Vinegar Bend," yet signed his name "David" (his middle name). Yeah, that's a lefty.
6. BOB WIESLER
Years active: 1951, 1954-58
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Yankees, Senators (Nationals here)
Card shown: 1956 Topps
Also my copy
7. RUSTY GERHARDT
Years active: 1974
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Padres
Card shown: 1985 TCMA Oklahoma City 89ers (coach card)
I don't own this
Gerhardt appeared in just 23 games for San Diego in 1974. TCDB shows no cards of him as an active player, only as a coach.
Also, we've finally reached a standard-sized card!
8. JEFF BALLARD
Years active: 1987-91, 1993-94
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Orioles, Pirates
Card shown: 1988 Donruss
Yup, I have it
A player well-associated with the junk-wax era, He might have more cards than any other Aug. 13 lefty save for one other guy -- discounting all the parallels for players yet to come.
9. DENNIS POWELL
Years active: 1985-90, 1992-93
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Dodgers, Mariners
Card featured: 1987 Fleer
I have several copies
The third Aug. 13 lefty Dodger by my count and not the last.
10. JARROD WASHBURN
Years active: 1998-2009
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Angels, Mariners
Card featured: 2005 Topps
I do own it
The most successful of the Aug. 13 lefties -- a World Series champion pitcher -- and likely the guy with the most cards. TCDB lists 579 but also Washburn played into the parallel era.
11. WILL OHMAN
Years active: 2000-01, 2005-12
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Cubs, Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, Marlins, White Sox
Card used: 2006 Upper Deck
I once had this card, but embarrassingly do not anymore
A popular subject for left-handed posts on this blog, I need to re-obtain this card. I've written about Ohman being born on this day and wearing his birth date (No. 13) on his uniform. He also liked my tweet about his birthday several years ago.
12. JON SWITZER
Years active: 2003, 2005-07, 2009
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Devil Rays, Mets
Card featured: 2007 Topps
Don't have any of his cards
13. DALLAS BRADEN
Years active: 2007-11
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Athletics
Card shown: 2011 Topps
I have it
The only Aug. 13 lefty to have pitched a perfect game. It's surprising to me that Braden ended his career so long ago, but that's because he's been a broadcaster for well over a decade and just always seems to be around ... often to my consternation. The most vocal 8/13 lefty?
14. BOONE LOGAN
Years active: 2006-18
Position: Pitcher
Teams: White Sox, Braves, Yankees, Rockies, Indians, Brewers
Card used: 2014 Topps Traded
I have it, should've used my copy instead of a mediocre TCDB scan
15. SCOTT ELBERT
Years active: 2008-12, 2014
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Dodgers
Card shown: 2009 Topps Walmart black
Have this
We're well into the "lefty specialist" era and how have I not come across an outfielder or first baseman yet??
16. JOE ORTIZ
Years active: 2013
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Rangers
Card featured: 2013 Dr. Pepper Texas Rangers
Nice modern food issue but I don't have it
17. KOLBY ALLARD
Years active: 2018-present
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Braves, Rangers, Phillies, Guardians
Card featured: 2020 Topps Heritage
Have it
One of two Aug. 13 lefties active in the major leagues right now.
18. MASON FLUHARTY
Years active: 2025
Position: Pitcher
Teams: Blue Jays
Card featured: 2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons
I'm always up for owning a Buffalo Bisons card but I don't have it and the design is not encouraging me
It's interesting that I discovered this player three days before he celebrated his 24th birthday. Since he pitched the entire 2024 season for the Bisons, I probably should have known about him earlier, but I admit my ability to follow minor league baseball has fallen off as I've gotten older.
Looking forward to him appearing in 2026 cards though (maybe even 2025 Update, we can hope?), if only so he can have a decent-looking card instead of this Panini Cooperstown tribute to cutting off the tops of heads.
I can't believe there hasn't been a single position player born on Aug. 13 who is left-handed. I'm going to have to have a celebration for when that occurs.
Per usual, I don't know how interesting this research is to anybody but it was to me, and when it comes to stuff like this, I have to get it out in written form ... even if the job won't let me do it on the proper day. That's OK. Lefties are used to modifying their lives.
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