Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies continue to spiral out of control and find new, inventive ways to lose. Yesterday, it was blowing a six-run lead. The Eagles opened training camp yesterday, and the vibes seem good to start. July 30 has seen the end of one Phillies streak and the beginning of another—so there is hope. It has also seen two Phillies legends inducted into the Hall of Fame and another polarizing star traded away.
Schmidt Shows off the Wheels
On this day in 1979, the Phillies hosted the Cubs at Veterans Stadium. Bob Boone hit a home run, but the Phillies still found themselves tied at 4–4 after nine innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Mike Schmidt led off with a single. He then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Manny Trillo followed with a single to score Schmidt and give the Phillies a 5–4 walk-off victory.
Out With the Old and in With the New
On this day in 1991, the Phillies snapped a seven-game losing streak with John Kruk’s RBI double in the seventh inning. José DeJesús scattered seven hits over eight innings, and Mitch Williams picked up the save. The victory marked the start of a franchise record-tying 13-game winning streak.
GOATs
On this day in 1995, Mike Schmidt and Richie Ashburn were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in front of an estimated 28,000 fans—the largest crowd in Hall of Fame history at the time. Ashburn was elected by the Veterans Committee, while Schmidt was elected on his first ballot with 96.5% of the vote. Which begs the question: Who didn’t think Schmidt deserved to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
Addition by Subtraction?
Bobby Abreu was pulled from the starting lineup 10 minutes before the start of Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Marlins on this day in 2006. He was informed that he was being traded to the Yankees, along with pitcher Cory Lidle, for five prospects in what appeared to be a salary dump by GM Pat Gillick. Abreu remained in the dugout with his now-former teammates while the details of the trade were being finalized. The trade was announced to the crowd in the ninth inning, and the fans gave Abreu a standing ovation.
On the field, the Phillies’ offense exploded in Game 1, with Aaron Rowand hitting two doubles and driving in three runs, Mike Lieberthal knocking in five runs, and Ryan Howard tying a team record with five walks. Game 2 was more of the same, as the Phillies’ new core of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard each homered during a six-run sixth inning—a sign of things to come.
After the game, Pat Gillick warned fans not to get their hopes up for 2007, as the Phillies still had some holes to fill. The team didn’t get the message, as they played themselves into the Wild Card race and forced Gillick’s hand to add veteran starter Jamie Moyer. Oops.
Trivia – After Bobby Abreu was traded, who took his spot in right field? (answer below)
Trivia Answer – Abreu was replaced by Shane Victorino who excelled in a starting role.
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