Baseball birthdays for October 27

Who are the best players born on each day of the year? We have a list for every day on the calendar.

Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for Oct. 27.

1) Ralph Kiner (1922)
The embodiment of pure power at the plate in a compact career, Kiner led the NL in homers starting with his rookie season with the Pirates in 1946 through 1952. His 54 homers in 1949 stood as the highest total in baseball through 1960 and in the NL until 1997. His frequent blasts to left led to the Forbes Field short porch being dubbed "Kiner's Korner."

The fearsome six-time All-Star slugger was dealt to the Cubs in 1953 following a contract dispute that saw Pirates general manager Branch Rickey famously say, "We finished last with you, we can finish last without you." Back injuries forced Kiner to retire at 32, with 369 homers in just 10 seasons. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Kiner enjoyed a spectacular second career working in the broadcast booth of the Mets, from their origin in 1962 through 2013, the final season before his death. He was beloved for his malapropisms, like wishing dads on Father's Day a happy birthday. The "Kiner's Korner" name was revived for his iconic postgame show.

2) Brad Radke (1972)
A workhorse who logged more than 200 innings nine of his 12 Major League seasons, Radke made his mark as a beloved lifetime Twin. During his breakout 1997 season, Radke became just the third pitcher in the previous 47 years to win 12 consecutive starts en route a 20-win season -- the milestone victory came in a rare 10-inning start -- and third-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award balloting. Later, the ace right-hander stopped the A's historic 20-game winning streak in 2002 with a six-hit shutout. Radke, whose career was ultimately cut short by shoulder injuries, holds the Twins' mark for Opening Day starts (nine), ranks second in Minnesota history in starts (377) and third in strikeouts (1,467) and innings (2,451).

3) Martin Prado (1983)
A top-shelf ultility weapon for the Braves, D-backs and Yankees from 2009-14, spreading his playing time between third base, second base and left field, Prado slashed .290/.337/.429 during that stretch, earning an All-Star berth and twice receiving MVP votes. He finished his 14-year career with the Marlins, swatting his 100th career homer in his final game.

4) Bill Swift (1961)
One of the best players to hail from Maine, the Mariners' No. 1 pick in the 1984 Draft found his greatest success in San Francisco, where he led the NL in ERA (2.08) in 1992 and won 21 the following season. The right-hander's 94 wins rank second among pitchers named Bill Swift -- a 1930s hurler with the same name finished his career with 95.

5) Bip Roberts (1963)
The diminutive speedster emerged as one of the game's premier utility players of the 1980s and '90s for the Padres and five other teams, seeing meaningful time all over the diamond. Roberts peaked at the plate as an All-Star with the Reds in '92 (.323 AVG, 44 SB), joining an elite group with hits in 10 consecutive at-bats en route to finishing eighth in the NL MVP voting. In '95, Roberts snapped Pedro Martinez's bid for a perfect game in 1995 with a 10th-inning double.

Others of note

Pete Vukovich (1952)
Part of the seven-player blockbuster deal between the Cardinals and Brewers in December 1980, the imposing Vuckovich was a force in his brief time in Milwaukee. After tying with Tom Seaver for the MLB wins lead (14) in the strike-shortened '81 season, Vuckovich led the Brewers to the AL crown the next year, winning 18 games with a 3.34 ERA in securing the AL Cy Young Award. Injuries derailed the remainder of Vuckovich's playing career, but he lives on in film as Clu Haywood, the Yankees slugger in the movie Major League.

Patsy Dougherty (1876)
Sparkplug of the first World Series champions, the Boston Americans outfielder became the first player to hit two homers in a Fall Classic game -- the first, an inside-the-parker. He later went on to play for the Highlanders and White Sox, earning his second ring in 1906.

U L Washington (1953)
The longtime Royals shortstop was best known for his dangling toothpick and was a steady presence for Kansas City for most of the franchise's most successful stretch, in the late 1970s-early '80s. "U L" aren't initials, it's his given first name.

Want to see more baseball birthdays for Oct. 27? Find the complete list on Baseball Reference.