Let's make this birthday one to remember.

44 years old (Born on January 08, 1981)

Happy Birthday, Jeff Francis! To the tall lefty whose curveball floated like a butterfly and whose changeup stung like...well, a slightly slower butterfly. Rockies fans still fondly recall your crafty pitching debut in 2004, when hitters swung early and often—mostly because they couldn't wait any longer for your pitches to arrive.

Your soft-tossing style baffled batters and delighted fans alike. From leading Colorado to their unforgettable World Series run in 2007 to consistently proving that velocity isn't everything, you've shown us all that finesse can outshine firepower. Here's hoping your birthday celebration is as timeless as your legendary off-speed pitches!