Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Top 10 Philadelphia Phillies Moments

Robin Roberts wins 20th and Pennant (October 1, 1950): The Phillies won their first pennant since 1915 behind Robin Roberts 20th victory. He won a 10 inning 4-1 victory over Brooklyn clinching the pennant. Dick Sisler’s 3-run home run in the 10th provided the margin of victory. He was Philadelphia’s first 20-game winner since 1917. The Phillies lost the World Series to the Yankees.


Jim Bunning’s perfect game (June 21, 1964): Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game on Father’s Day 1964. The father of seven struck out 10 New York Mets en route to a 6-0 victory. Of the 90 pitches thrown, an amazing 79 were strikes.

Carlton wins 27 (1972): The 1972 Philadelphia Phillies won 59 games and Steve Carlton won 27 of them. Without Steve Carlton, the Phillies went 32-87. For 1972, Lefty led the league in wins (27), ERA (1.97), game starts (41), complete games (30), innings (346.1), and strikeout to walk ratio (3.56). His Whip was under 1. Considering the Phillies season, Carlton’s performance was one for the ages.

Phils: 23 Cubs: 22 (May 17, 1979): Mike Schimdt’s solo home run in the 10th off Bruce Sutter won the wildest game in decades 23-22. The teams combined for 45 runs, 50 hits, and 11 home runs. Dave Kingman hit three, Mike Schmidt two, and pitcher Randy Lerch hit one.

Maddox grabs liner and ends NLCS (October 12, 1980): The Phillies survived the NLCS against Houston to win their first pennant in 30 years. Four of the five games went extra innings. Philadelphia had to rally against Nolan Ryan with a 5 run 8th and then won the game in extra innings. The series ended with a line drive to centerfielder Garry Maddox.

Boone and Rose (October 21, 1980): The Phillies won their first championship ever in 1980 defeating Kansas City. In the deciding game, a pop up near the dugout was almost dropped by Bob Boone. The ball hit his glove, popped up, and landed in Pete Rose’s mitt for an out. That play really defined the 1980 Phillies.

Schmidt hits 500 (April 19, 1987): Mike Schmidt hit a two-out, three-run shot off Don Robinson in Philadelphia’s 8-6 win over Pittsburgh. The blast was Schmidt’s 500th career homer. The shot solidified Mike Schmidt’s standing as baseball’s greatest third baseman and player of the eighties.

Schilling spits at Braves (October 6, 1993): The Braves had an aura about them. They were the class of the National League and two-time defending champions. That did not impress Curt Schilling. While leaving the field, he spat on the ground to impress the fact he was not intimidated. His Phillie teammates shared his sentiments and beat the Braves for the pennant. They lost the World Series to the Blue Jays.

Phillies: 4 Rays: 3 (October 27, 2008): Philadelphia beat the Tampa Bay Rays for their second championship and first since 1980. Cole Hamels won the Series MVP. After splitting the first two games in Tampa Bay, the Phillies took over and swept the three games at home.

Rollins double (October 19, 2009 Game 4 NLCS): Philadelphia led the Dodgers 2 games to 1 going into Game 4 of the 2009 NLCS. In Game 4, Los Angeles led 4-3 going into the 9th. The Phils rallied against Jonathan Broxton and Jimmy Rollins doubled in two runs for a 5-4 win and a 3-games-to-1 series lead. Philadelphia closed out the Dodgers in Game 5 for their second straight pennant.

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