Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies continue to struggle, and if they don’t turn things around soon, the trade deadline could become an afterthought. July 29 has seen a Phillies legend receive one of baseball’s highest honors, a franchise first, and plenty of memorable trade deadline moves
A Good 15-year Stretch for Lefty
On July 29, 1974, Steve Carlton dominated the Pirates with a complete-game two-hitter, striking out eight, while Mike Schmidt slugged two home runs and drove in four as the Phillies cruised to a 13-1 victory.
Exactly 15 years later, in 1989, the Phillies welcomed Carlton back to Veterans Stadium to retire his No. 32 before more than 47,000 fans. Carlton also received a ring with 32 diamonds and a trip around the world.
Those two July 29s framed one of the greatest careers in franchise history. Between the dominant afternoon in 1974 and the emotional ceremony in 1989, Carlton won more than 180 games as a Phillie, struck out over 2,500 batters, captured three Cy Young Awards, and helped deliver the franchise’s first World Series championship.
Back-To-Back
On this day in 1984, the Phillies and Expos met at Veterans Stadium. After Montreal scored in the top of the first inning, Juan Samuel and Von Hayes immediately answered by leading off the bottom of the first with back-to-back home runs—the first time in Phillies history that teammates opened a game with consecutive home runs. Hayes wasn’t finished, adding another homer in the fifth inning. With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Len Matuszek hit a two-run walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 6-4 victory.
The Old Covid Double-Header
On this day in 2021, the Phillies and Nationals played a COVID-style doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, with both games scheduled for seven innings. In Game 1, Max Scherzer outdueled Zack Wheeler as the Nationals won 3–1. The Nationals appeared headed for a sweep after jumping out to a 7–0 lead in the second game. The Phillies chipped away and tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Aaron Nola drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases, Brad Miller stepped up and hit a walk-off grand slam. It was the fifth extra-inning walk-off grand slam in Phillies history.
Trivia – Who are the five players to hit extra-inning walk-off grand slams in Phillies history? (answer below)
Trade Deadline Madness
The Phillies have been active on the trade market on this day throughout their history:
1983 – Purchased the contract of Larry Anderson from the Seattle Mariners.
2002 – Traded Scott Rolen, Doug Nickle, and $300,000 to the Cardinals for Placido Polanco, Bud Smith, and Mike Timlin
2009 – Traded Jason Knappp, Carlos Carrosco, Jason Donald, and Lou Marson to Cleveland for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco
2010 – Traded J.A. Happ, Anthony Gose, and Jonathon Villar to the Astros for Roy Oswalt and cash
2011 – Traded Jonathon Singleton, Jarred Cosart, and Josh Zied to the Astros for Hunter Pence.
*On the same day that the Phillies acquired Pence the Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a 5-year $60 million contract.
Trivia Answer – Rick Joseph (1967), John Kruk (1989), Dale Murphy (1991), John Mayberry Jr. (2013), and Brad Miller (2021).
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