Sports Birthdays for October 23 — Pele, Doug Flutie and More

Here are some of the people in the sports world celebrating birthdays on October 23:

Jim Bunning
Age: 81
Profession: Retired MLB Player
Best Known For: A nine-time All-Star pitcher, Jim Bunning played for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers during his career from 1955 to 1971. Bunning led the American League in wins in 1957 and in strikeouts in 1959 and 1960. He led the National League in strikeouts in 1967. He pitched a perfect game on Father's Day (June 21) of 1964 while with the Phillies. Bunning was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. After his retirement, Bunning was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives six times and the U.S. Senate twice.

Chi Chi Rodriguez
Age: 77
Profession: Retired Golfer
Best Known For: Winner of 38 professional tournaments during his long career from 1960 to 2012, golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez was a flamboyant showman. As if he were a bullfighter, Rodriguez often pantomimed swordplay with his putter after a made shot.

Pelé
Age: 72
Profession: Retired Soccer Player
Best Known For: Widely considered to be the best soccer player ever to play the game, Pelé — born Edison Arantes do Nascimento in Brazil — scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. Playing for Santos Football Club from 1956 to 1974, Pelé ascended to legendary status due to his incredible dribbling, passing and scoring skills. He played for the Brazilian national team from 1957 to 1971, winning the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1977, winning the league championship in 1977.

Doug Flutie
Age: 50
Profession: Retired NFL Player / Broadcaster
Best Known For: Winner of the 1984 Heisman Trophy while at Boston College, Doug Flutie became a starting quarterback in three different professional football leagues. He is often remembered for a 'Hail Mary' touchdown pass he threw to beat Miami 47-45 while at Boston College in 1984. Flutie played professionally for the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League in 1985 and then with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots of the NFL from 1986 to 1989. Flutie then played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1990 to 1997 with the B. C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts, winning three Grey Cups and six CFL MVP awards. Flutie later returned to the NFL to play with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and Patriots from 1998 to 2005, qualifying for the Pro Bowl in 1998. He currently serves as an analyst on football broadcasts.

Alex Zanardi
Age: 46
Profession: Race Car Driver
Best Known For: A two-time CART champion, Alex Zanardi also raced on the Formula One circuit. A 2001 crash resulted in the amputation of his legs, but Zanardi eventually resumed racing on the FIA World Touring Car Championship and in paralympic cycling events.