This Day in Phillies History

[kgilbert78]

On this day in 1976, Philadelphia third baseman Mike Schmidt hit four consecutive home runs to help the Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 18-16 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field.

Philadelphia trailed 12-1, but Schmidt’s heroics led the biggest comeback in National League history.


I recall watching Schmidt's at bats while working at the old Sears Auto center in Abington (it's still an auto place, tho not Sears). I was working my way thru Ogontz and happened to be taking my break when Schmidt hit the first one (we had a TV room for customers and breaks). By the time he got up for no. 4, the room was packed with everyone in the store--customers, employees, mechanics--the lot. One of my best Phillies memories....

 

[kgilbert78]

 

[mrtailgate]

I don't have this game on tape, but I gave the other crazy Wrigley Phils Cubs game on tape.

Thanks for jogging the memory.

 

[mrtailgate]

On this day in 1976, Philadelphia third baseman Mike Schmidt hit four consecutive home runs to help the Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 18-16 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field.

Philadelphia trailed 12-1, but Schmidt’s heroics led the biggest comeback in National League history.


I recall watching Schmidt's at bats while working at the old Sears Auto center in Abington (it's still an auto place, tho not Sears). I was working my way thru Ogontz and happened to be taking my break when Schmidt hit the first one (we had a TV room for customers and breaks). By the time he got up for no. 4, the room was packed with everyone in the store--customers, employees, mechanics--the lot. One of my best Phillies memories....

The first game I ever saw in Wrigley in person was labeled The Typhoon Game and was called the worst conditions a game was ever played in at the friendly confines. I landed early on Mothers Day Sunday and immediately went to the bleachers. It was beyond miserable. In batting practice, you could hear the balls (actually missles) approaching you as the balls came through the misty rain. Who knows what would have happened that day as the game was called in the 4th with the score already 11-9.

The conditions were no worse in the 4th than they were in the 1st but Eli Marrero tore up his knee due to the wet outfield. As soon as the injury happened, they immediately called it.

It was beyond brutal out there but I felt I had to stay as I realized I was potentially watching history. If they played all nine, it might have ended 32-31 or something. May 11, 1993.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I saw that this morning on 'Today in Baseball' in the P-G and sent an email, got some fun responses. You know what else happened on April 17? Mickey Mantle made his debut for the Yankees, went 1-4 against Boston. I guess he turned out to be an OK player.

Schmidt I remember vividly - it was a Sunday game, we were at my Mom's parents for Sunday dinner. Saw the first two there, #3 on the radio on the way home, and #4 at our place.

Also saw the Miracle on Ice in 1980 at the grandparents. Their house must have been built on a field of four leaf clovers.

By 1982 they were both gone. But those sports memories - and Sam and Annie - will never be forgotten.

 

[kgilbert78]

I saw that this morning on 'Today in Baseball' in the P-G and sent an email, got some fun responses. You know what else happened on April 17? Mickey Mantle made his debut for the Yankees, went 1-4 against Boston. I guess he turned out to be an OK player.

Schmidt I remember vividly - it was a Sunday game, we were at my Mom's parents for Sunday dinner. Saw the first two there, #3 on the radio on the way home, and #4 at our place.

Also saw the Miracle on Ice in 1980 at the grandparents. Their house must have been built on a field of four leaf clovers.

By 1982 they were both gone. But those sports memories - and Sam and Annie - will never be forgotten.

It was a Saturday, actually--I had to look it up....

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

It was a Saturday, actually--I had to look it up....

Don't go ruining a good story. Of course it was a Sunday - it was a DAY GAME in Wrigley Field!

 

[kgilbert78]

The first game I ever saw in Wrigley in person was labeled The Typhoon Game and was called the worst conditions a game was ever played in at the friendly confines. I landed early on Mothers Day Sunday and immediately went to the bleachers. It was beyond miserable. In batting practice, you could hear the balls (actually missles) approaching you as the balls came through the misty rain. Who knows what would have happened that day as the game was called in the 4th with the score already 11-9.

The conditions were no worse in the 4th than they were in the 1st but Eli Marrero tore up his knee due to the wet outfield. As soon as the injury happened, they immediately called it.

It was beyond brutal out there but I felt I had to stay as I realized I was potentially watching history. If they played all nine, it might have ended 32-31 or something. May 11, 1993.

The Phis and Cubs played another one like that a couple of years later--23-22 in 10 innings. Their bullpen was not the same after that game that season.

Link

 

[kgilbert78]

Don't go ruining a good story. Of course it was a Sunday - it was a DAY GAME in Wrigley Field!

Of course *all* the games at Wrigley were day games back then.....

 

[mrtailgate]

The Phis and Cubs played another one like that a couple of years later--23-22 in 10 innings. Their bullpen was not the same after that game that season.

Link

That is the one I have on tape. King Kong Kingman hits moonshots in that one. I remember Rose stealing early that day when the Phillies are WAY ahead. Afterwards when they asked him on his decision to steal he makes the comment that he knew you never were going to have enough runs that day.

 

[LionJim]

I saw that this morning on 'Today in Baseball' in the P-G and sent an email, got some fun responses. You know what else happened on April 17? Mickey Mantle made his debut for the Yankees, went 1-4 against Boston. I guess he turned out to be an OK player.

Schmidt I remember vividly - it was a Sunday game, we were at my Mom's parents for Sunday dinner. Saw the first two there, #3 on the radio on the way home, and #4 at our place.

Also saw the Miracle on Ice in 1980 at the grandparents. Their house must have been built on a field of four leaf clovers.

By 1982 they were both gone. But those sports memories - and Sam and Annie - will never be forgotten.

Nice post, Fox. Quintessential McAndrew post.

 

[kgilbert78]

I also think Schmidt is the one of the few players to hit four consecutive HR's twice. The second time was in 1979, though over two games.