Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies are playing some really sloppy baseball right now, dropping the rubber match to the Dodgers last night. They’re off tonight, which honestly might not be a bad thing. Hopefully, they can use the day off to reset and get back on track.
July 23 has seen a lot of big home runs, a European first, and a Bryce Harper milestone.
Ennis Does It All
On this day in 1955, the Phillies beat the Cardinals, 7-2, at Connie Mack Stadium to get back to .500. Del Ennis accounted for all seven Phillies runs, going 3-for-4 with three home runs and seven RBIs. Ennis was in the midst of an All-Star season, finishing the year with 29 home runs and 129 RBIs.
Trivia: Who are the only Phillies players to have multiple three-home-run games while playing for the team? (Answer below)
Across the Pond
On this day in 1962, the Phillies lost to the Cubs, 4-3, at Wrigley Field. But quite a few new fans across the Atlantic were able to catch part of the game.
The game became the first American sporting event to be broadcast live in Europe. As part of a transatlantic television broadcast using the Telstar 1 satellite, viewers in Europe were able to watch part of the third inning, seeing Tony Taylor fly out and Johnny Callison single.
The game wasn’t actually supposed to be part of the broadcast. When the signal was acquired before President John F. Kennedy was ready to speak, the American networks cut to the Phillies-Cubs game already in progress until JFK was ready to begin his address.
Lefty Reaches a Milestone
On this day in 1978, Garry Maddox homered and Richie Hebner added a three-run shot as the Phillies pounded the Astros, 13-2, at The Vet. Steve Carlton was on the mound, pitching eight innings and striking out four to earn the win.
For Carlton, it was career win No. 200, making him just the 78th pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone. He also became just the second pitcher to record his 200th win while wearing a Phillies uniform, joining Robin Roberts. They would later be joined by Roy Halladay, who reached 200 career wins in 2013.
Cat’s Out of the Bag
On this day in 1990, the Phillies were being no-hit through six innings by Mets pitcher Frank Viola. Then, two walks and an error helped the Phillies get on the board.
After another walk loaded the bases, Dickie Thon stepped to the plate and blasted a grand slam. With one swing, Viola lost his no-hitter and found himself trailing, 5-3.
The Phillies would tack on two more runs in the eighth and go on to win, 8-4.
There was an ominous sign for the Mets earlier in the game. In the bottom of the fifth, a black cat ran onto the field right in front of the Mets’ dugout. The Mets probably should have taken the hint.
A Milestone for the Showman
On this day in 2025, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, and Brandon Marsh all homered, but the Phillies lost a wild one at Citizens Bank Park, 9-8, in 11 innings.
Both teams scored in extra innings, but the Red Sox put two runs on the board in the top of the 11th to take the lead. For Bryce Harper, it was a memorable night despite the loss, as he launched career home run No. 350.
Trivia Answer: Kyle Schwarber, Mike Schmidt, and Johnny Callison are the only players to have multiple three-home-run games while playing for the Phillies.
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