Philadelphia Phillies
Bake McBride stepped up to the plate 3,853 times and got 1,153 hits over his 10 year career for a .299 average. If Bake had just gotten one more hit, just one more measly hit, he would be able to put a .300 average on his resume instead of .299. Bummer Bake.
We have another ‘On This Day’ for you guys celebrating this Friday April 17th. All the way back in 1976 every Phillies fan’s Main Man Mike Schmidt hit four home runs in quite the abnormal afternoon affair at Wrigley Field. The Phillies found themselves down 13-2 to the Cubs in the top of the 5th Inning when Mighty Mike stepped in & hit a two run homer off Cubs pitcher Rick Reuschel to ignite a Phillies Comeback. In each of his next three at-bats Mike went deep, including the go ahead two run shot off Rick’s older brother Paul in the top of the 10th inning. The Phils added another run & held on for an 18-16 victory. More from the Reuschel Boys in a future post! Have a nice weekend dudes!
I had planned to make this post about Von on June 11th, because on that day in 1985 he became the First MLB player to hit two HR’s in the 1st inning. He led off the game with a solo shot and as the Phillies batted around the lineup, Hayes hit a Grand Slam in his second at-bat to put Philly up 8-0. They went on to beat the Mets 26-7.
Anyways, I had a dream about Von last night. Nothing happened, just an urge to post this today instead of on the day it happened. He probably made an appearance because I was watching 1989 MLB All-Star game Player introductions before I went to sleep. 1989 was Von’s only all star season.
In July of 1987, 40 year old relief pitcher Kent Tekulve made his 900th mound appearance, becoming just the 5th pitcher to do so. ‘Teke’ would go on to appear in 1,050 games before his career was over in 1989. He holds the records for game appearances and innings pitched without ever having been given the nod as the starter.
This is utility man Bobby Pfeil. As a rookie he was member of the 1969 Miracle Mets. On July 27th, 1971 while playing catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies Bobby homered twice off Houston Astros pitcher Larry Dierker in the 1st game of a Doubleheader . Those two dingers would turn out to be the only homers of his short career. He was out of baseball the next season.
If anybody is up for an exciting Sunday Baseball Matinee look no further than the May 17th, 1979 matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies & Chicago Cubs. It won’t disappoint. The two teams combined for 45 runs on 50 hits. Eleven players had at least 3 hits, Including Mr. Dave ‘Kong’ Kingman who went deep 3 times that day at windy Wrigley. YouTube Link is below. Check it Out!!
After missing the chance for a World Series Ring during his prime with the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, Darren got a chance for another when he was traded to the Florida Marlins part way through the 1997 season, after 17 years with the Phillies organization. Dutch went 7 for 18 (.389 BA) with a HR & 2 RBI’s as Pinch Hitter during the Marlins World Series victory over the Cleveland Indians. Happy Birthday Dutch!! R.I.P.
Philadelphia Phillies Utility Man Steve Jeltz became the first player in team history and the 81st in MLB History to hit a Homerun from both sides of the plate in the same game. Steve-O and the Phils came all the way back from a 10-0 deficit in the first inning to beat the cross state rival Pittsburgh Pirates 15-11. Jeltz had only one career homer coming into the 1989 season, which he hit all the way back in 1984. He would bring his career total to 5 with his four dingers in ‘89.
