Robert W. Cohen - The 50 Greatest Players in Philadelphia Phillies History

I would like to express my gratitude to the grandchildren of Leslie Jones, who, through the Trustees of the Boston Public Library, Print Department, supplied some of the photos included in this book.

I also wish to thank Troy R. Kinunen of MEARSonlineauctions.com, Kate of RMYauctions.com, Keith Allison, Matthew Straubmuller, Bryan Green, Scott Ableman, Dirk Hansen, and Richard Albersheim, each of whom generously contributed to the photographic content of this work.

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M ike Schmidt received stiff competition from Steve Carlton and Grover Cleveland Alexander for the number 1 position in these rankings, with both Hall of Fame hurlers performing magnificently during their time in Philadelphia. En route to earning seven All-Star nominations, four Cy Young awards, and five top-10 finishes in the NL MVP voting, Carlton won more games and recorded more strikeouts than any other pitcher in team annals. Meanwhile, Alexander surpassed 30 victories three times, set several single-season franchise records that still stand, and won the pitchers version of the Triple Crown three straight times, with his brilliant mound work prompting the Sporting News to place him at number 12 on its 1999 list of Baseballs 100 Greatest Players. However, Schmidt also boasts an extremely impressive list of credentials that includes 13 seasons with more than 30 home runs, nine years with more than 100 RBIs, eight home run championships, three NL MVP awards, one World Series MVP trophy, six Silver Sluggers, 10 Gold Gloves, and franchise records in eight different offensive categories. Equally significant, though, is the fact that, while both Carlton and Alexander spent several seasons pitching for other teams, Schmidt spent his entire 18-year big-league career in Philadelphia, making him the only possible choice for the top spot here.

Widely considered the greatest all-around third baseman in baseball history, Mike Schmidt excelled in every aspect of the game. A tremendous offensive player who possessed extraordinary physical strength and good running speed, Schmidt, in addition to his previously mentioned achievements, batted over .300 once, stole more than 20 bases twice, scored more than 100 runs seven times, and posted an OPS over .900 on 12 separate occasions. A superb fielder as well, Schmidt led all NL third basemen in assists seven times, double plays turned six times, and fielding percentage once, with his outstanding all-around play earning him 12 All-Star selections, Sporting News NL Player of the Year honors twice, and recognition from that same publication as Player of the Decade for the 1980s. And following the conclusion of his playing career, Schmidt received the additional distinctions of being named to Major League Baseballs All-Century Team, having his #20 retired by the Phillies, and gaining induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Mike Schmidt hit more homers, drove in more runs, and scored more times than anyone else in team annals.

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Born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 27, 1949, Michael Jack Schmidt grew up a huge fan of Frank Robinson and the Cincinnati Reds. That Schmidt lived long enough to see Robinson play is something of a miracle. Spending most of his youth in a sleepy, tree-lined, middle-class neighborhood in Dayton, Schmidt almost lost his life at the age of five when he foolishly climbed a tree in his backyard and grabbed on to a 4,000-volt power line. Knocked unconscious by the shock, young Michael fell limp to the ground, before the impact of the fall fortunately restarted his heart. Reflecting back on his brush with death years later, Schmidt said, Ive never thought that I was given a second chance because I was supposed to do something great in my life. But Ive looked back and wondered why that stupid little kid didnt die. Maybe thats the reason Ive always worked so hardbecause I dont want to think that I wasted that chance.

Eventually emerging as a standout athlete at local Fairview High School, Schmidt starred in baseball and basketball, proving to be equally proficient in both sports. Continuing to compete in multiple sports at Ohio University, which he entered in the hope of becoming an architect, Schmidt won a starting job as a guard on the schools freshman basketball team, before knee problems forced him to focus exclusively on baseball. Recalling the events that transpired at the time, Schmidt said, All I cared about was basketball at that point in time. I got called into the varsity coachs office one day and he said, Mike, your knees just arent going to make it. I was playing with a brace on each knee, and it just wasnt pretty. Even though I could compete, there was no way, over the long haul, I was going to be able to make it in basketball. So, I just kind of fell back on baseball.

After spending his early days at Ohio switch-hitting, Schmidt chose to concentrate solely on developing his skills as a right-handed batter, remembering, I was not a prospect as a switch-hitter. My power was righthanded, basically raw power, everything to the pull side.

After leading Ohio to the College World Series in 1970, Schmidt hit 10 home runs and batted .331 in 37 games in 1971, prompting the Phillies to select him in the second round of that years Amateur Draft, with the 30th overall pick. In discussing the impression that Schmidt made on him during his time at Ohio, Phillies scout Tony Lucadello said, Sometimes he would do things that would amaze me. Other times, he would make errors or just look terrible up at the plate. This gave me an edge right away, see, because other scouts, theyd see him, and theyd pick at all those flaws. But I sensed Mike Schmidt would be a late bloomer.