ESPN: Happy B-Day, Darryl!

BRISTOL, CT (AP) -- The ESPN.com website wishes a belated happy birthday to Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile. According to its player profile webpage, the lanky righthander turned 36 on December 2, 2004.

When reached for comment, ESPN President George Bodenheimer said, "We here at ESPN congratulate Darryl on reaching his 15th year in the Major Leagues, and hope that his 37th year on this great Earth is his best yet!"

Mr. Kile has a career record of 133-119 and a 4.12 ERA with the Astors, Rockies, and Cardinals. Known for his "12-6 curveball," he pitched a no-hitter for Houston on September 8, 1993.

Curiously, Mr. Kile was the subject of a brief Hall of Fame campaign in the summer and fall of 2002. "Sure, we heard the buzz, but it baffled us," notes ESPN's Harold Reynolds. "Typically a guy will only be inducted into the Hall if he has been retired for a period of years, or if he died prematurely under some sort of tragic circumstances. But -- as our website clearly shows -- Mr. Kile is still a very alive and very active member of the St. Louis Cardinals roster."