Sports Birthdays for July 20 — Ray Allen and More

Here are some of the people in the sports world celebrating birthdays on July 20:

Mike Ilitch
Age: 83
Profession: Sports Franchise Owner
Best Known For: Having made his fortune with Little Caesars Pizza, Mike Ilitch is the owner of both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. Under Ilitch’s ownership, the Red Wings have won
15 divisional championships and four Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008). Ilitch was at the center of the effort to move the Tigers from Tiger Stadium into their modern home of Comerica Park in 2000.

James Harris
Age: 65
Profession: Retired NFL Player
Best Known For: A Pro Bowl quarterback in 1974, James Harris played for the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers during a professional career that lasted from 1969 to 1981. In 1969, Harris became the first black player to start an entire season at quarterback, as he led the Buffalo offense while the franchise was still part of the American Football League. Harris helped guide the Rams to the playoffs in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.

Peter Forsberg
Age: 39
Profession: Retired NHL Player
Best Known For: A seven-time NHL All-Star, Peter Forsberg was among the best all-around players in hockey during his playing career from 1989 to 2011 with the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. In addition to winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year in 1995 and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in 2003, Forsberg was a member of the Colorado Avalanche teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. Forsberg was on the Swedish national teams that won gold medals at the 1994 and 2006 Winter Olympics.

Bengie Molina
Age: 38
Profession: Retired MLB Player
Best Known For: A two-time Gold Glove Award winner, catcher Bengie Molina was a solid defensive backstop who played for the Anaheim Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010. He was a member of the Angels’ team that won the 2002 World Series. Molina’s younger brothers, José and Yadier, are current major league catchers.

Ray Allen
Age: 37
Profession: NBA Player
Best Known For: A 10-time All-Star shooting guard, Ray Allen is the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made and attempted. After being named a First-Team All-American in his final year at Connecticut in 1996, Allen has had a long NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics and Boston Celtics. He was a member of the Celtics’ team that won the 2008 championship. Off the court, Allen has acted in two films, including a lead role in the 1998 movie ‘He Got Game.’ Allen signed a free agent contract with the Miami Heat after the 2012 season.

Pavel Datsyuk
Age: 34
Profession: NHL Player
Best Known For: A four-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship, Pavel Datsyuk is an exceptional offensive and defensive forward for the Detroit Red Wings. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as best defensive forward in 2008, 2009 and 2010. A four-time All-Star, Datsyuk was a member of the Red Wings’ teams that won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008. He is a member of the Russian national team.

Troy Smith
Age: 28
Profession: Pro Football Player
Best Known For: After winning the 2006 Heisman Trophy at Ohio State University, Troy Smith has had an uneventful professional career. After being selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Smith played for the team through 2009. After spending 2010 with the San Francisco 49ers, Smith played with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League in 2011.