Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies suffered a frustrating loss last night as they wasted a gem by Cristopher Sanchez. They had their chances, but it’s hard to win when you don’t score. They look to salvage the series this afternoon with Zack Wheeler on the mound. Their playoff hopes are hanging in the balance.
August 12 has been an interesting day in Philly sports history. It’s seen Juan Samuel leave his mark, a record-tying win streak and playoff hockey?
Juan Has Himself a Day
On this day in 1987, the Phillies played the Cubs at the Vet, with Juan Samuel having himself a day. With the score tied at 7 in the bottom of the eighth, Samuel sparked a six-run inning with a grand slam.
It was his 22nd home run of the season, breaking Granny Hamner’s team record for a second baseman. Samuel also hit a triple—his 10th of the year—stole a base and drove in five runs.
He became the first player in MLB history to reach double digits in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases in each of his first four seasons.
Trivia – Who holds the Phillies’ single-season home run record at each of these positions: first base, second base, shortstop, third base and catcher? (Answer below)
Lucky Number 13
On this day in 1991, Dale Murphy and Lenny Dykstra drove in runs as Terry Mulholland and Dennis Martinez put on a pitching clinic. Both pitchers threw complete games as the Phillies beat the Expos 2–1.
It was the Phillies’ 13th straight win, tying a modern club record. They would lose their next two games in Pittsburgh.
Twice is Nice
On this day in 2006, Jimmy Rollins hit two home runs—one from each side of the plate—but the Phillies still lost to the Reds 9–7.
Rollins joined Steve Jeltz and Tomas Perez as Phillies players to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.
Have a Beer on Me
On this day in 2009, it was the Phillies and Cubs again, this time at Wrigley Field. Pedro Martinez made his Phillies debut, going five innings, giving up three runs and striking out five.
Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez both hit three-run homers, while Shane Victorino added a two-run shot in the third.
In the bottom of the fifth, as he was attempting to catch a fly ball, Victorino was greeted with a cup of beer thrown on his head from the bleachers. He still made the catch and later filed charges against the fan, who was found guilty after turning himself in.
Who knew that Philly fans in disguise as Cubs fans would be at Wrigley? I thought this stuff only happened in Philly?
Charlie Gets 1,000
On this day in 2013 Code Asche hit a three run homer and Cole Hamels pitched a complete game giving up 1 run and striking out nine. The win gave manager Charlie Manuel his 1,000th career win, making him the 59th manager to do so.
Playoffs?
On this day in 2020, Jakub Voracek and Joel Farabee scored while Carter Hart made 27 saves as the Flyers won Game 1 of their first-round series against the Canadiens.
The game was played in the bubble in Toronto due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Flyers entering the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Trivia Answer – 1B – Ryan Howard (58); 2B – Chase Utley (33); SS – Jimmy Rollins (30); 3B – Mike Schmidt (48); C – Mike Lieberthal (31).
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