Categories: History

Nine Philadelphia Phillies Phun Phacts

Jimmy Rollins at-bat at Camden Yards vs the Baltimore Orioles on June 9, 2012. “JRoll” has the most homers by a switch-hitter in Phillies history. (Keith Allison/WikiCommons)

Baseball is a game in which nine men are in the lineup and nine innings. So, here’s a lineup of nine Phillies Phun Phacts.

The late Jim Bunning won the first game at Veterans Stadium (1971) and returned to throw out the first ball: on the 10th anniversary of the Vet (1981); when his uniform number was retired (2001); the final season opener in the Vet history (2003); World Series Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park (2009); and the 50th anniversary of his perfect game (2014). That has to be a record for the most ceremonial first pitches.

Right-fielder Oscar Gamble got the last hit at Connie Mack Stadium (1970) … Left fielder Pat Burrell, the final hit at Veterans Stadium (2003) … First baseman Phil Weintraub had the same honor at Baker Bowl (1938).

Reliever Rheal Cormier picked up the last Phillies win at Veterans Stadium (2003) and the first win at Citizens Bank Park (2004). Starter Claude Passeau has the distinction of getting the Phillies final win at Baker Bowl and their first win after the Phillies permanently moved to Shibe Park (both in 1938).

Jimmy Rollins hit the most home runs (216) by a switch-hitter in Phillies history. Shane Victorino’s 88 rank second.

Paul Richardson was the only person to play at Connie Mack Stadium, Veteran’s Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park. The sounds of the organist provided the backdrop at Phillies games for generations of fans.

Four times a player was traded and moved down the hall from the visiting clubhouse to the Phillies clubhouse at Veterans Stadium: Joe Lefebvre, Sixto Lezcano, Lenny Dykstra and Roger Mason.

Second baseman Jose “Chili” Gomez, a native of Mexico, was the first Hispanic player to appear in a Phillies uniform (1935). Infielder John “Junior” Kennedy was the Phillies’ first African-American (1957). Their first Japanese-born player was second baseman Tadahito Iguchi

(2007).

The Phillies started their very first season (1883), 0-8, still a club record for bad starts. In their first National League pennant-winning season (1915), they began 8-0, still a club record for good starts.

Left handed pitcher Chris Short has the most opening day shutouts in Phillies history, three: the first N. L. game in Houston’s Astrodome (1965), at Dodger Stadium (1968) and the final Connie Mack Stadium season opener (1970). All three were 2-0.

Who is the only person to play at Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park? Organist Paul Richardson.

Larry Shenk is author/editor of the Phillies.com Alumni section. Articles re-printed at Phillies Nation by permission of Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Larry Shenk

More than a half-century with the Philadelphia Phillies organization from 1964-2015 as Director of Public Relations. Winner of the 2007 Dallas Green Award for Special Achievement. Items for Phillies Nation are re-printed from Phillies.com with permission from the organization. Email directly to lshenk@phillies.com