1971 Philadelphia Phillies season
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Phillies
season was the 89th season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in sixth place in the National League East
, with a record of 67-95.
, their new home park, with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Expos
. Harry Kalas
was hired by the Phillies in 1971 to succeed Bill Campbell
, and was the master of ceremonies at the 1971 opening of Veterans Stadium
.
The Phillies played an exhibition game against the Reading Phillies
on June 17, 1971 in Reading
. The Phillies had signed second-round draft-pick Mike Schmidt
on June 11. Schmidt made his professional debut in the exhibition game in Reading. Schmidt played the whole game at shortstop for the Phillies and hit a game-winning homerun against Reading. He was subsequently assigned to the Reading club where he played the balance of the season.
On June 25, Pittsburgh Pirates
outfielder Willie Stargell
hit what wound up being the longest home run
in Veterans Stadium
history off of pitcher Jim Bunning
in a 14-4 Pirates win over the Phillies. The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, when the white circle was painted black. The star remained until the stadium's 2004 demolition.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
season was the 89th season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in sixth place in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
, with a record of 67-95.
Offseason
- October 7, 1970: Doc EdwardsDoc EdwardsHoward Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years...
was released by the Phillies. - November 3, 1970: Curt FloodCurt FloodCurtis Charles Flood was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A defensive standout, he led the National League in putouts four times and in fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Phillies to the Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Greg GoossenGreg GoossenGregory Bryant Goossen was an American catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball, playing from 1965 through 1970 for four different clubs in the American and National leagues...
, Jeff TerpkoJeff TerpkoJeffrey Michael "Jeff" Terpko is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Terpko played for the Texas Rangers in and and the Montreal Expos in .-External links:*...
, and Gene MartinGene MartinThomas Eugene Martin is a former Major League Baseball left fielder. He was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 3rd round of the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft, and he played in nine games for them in ....
. The Phillies completed the trade by sending Terpko back to the Senators on April 10. - December 16, 1970: Grant Jackson, Jim HuttoJim HuttoJames Neamon "Jim" Hutto was a Major League Baseball player. Hutto played for the Philadelphia Phillies in and the Baltimore Orioles in .-External links:...
and Sam ParrillaSam ParrillaSamuel Parilla was a left fielder and pinch-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. He played in the minor leagues from 1963 to 1972....
were traded by the Phillies to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Roger FreedRoger FreedRoger Vernon Freed was a Major League Baseball outfielder and pinch hitter. He played all or part of eight seasons between and for five different major league teams.-Orioles:...
.
Regular season
On April 10, the Phillies officially opened Veterans StadiumVeterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
, their new home park, with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Expos
1971 Montreal Expos season
-Offseason:* December 30, 1970: Dave McDonald was traded by the Expos to the San Francisco Giants for Ron Hunt.* January 1971: Jack Scalia was selected by the Expos third overall in the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft...
. Harry Kalas
Harry Kalas
Harry Norbert Kalas was an American sportscaster, best known for his Ford C. Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies...
was hired by the Phillies in 1971 to succeed Bill Campbell
Bill Campbell (sportscaster)
Bill Campbell is a longtime sportscaster in the Philadelphia area.Campbell began his broadcasting career at the age of 17 at a radio station in his hometown of Atlantic City. He moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1941 as a minor league baseball announcer, and then settled in Philadelphia in...
, and was the master of ceremonies at the 1971 opening of Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
.
The Phillies played an exhibition game against the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
on June 17, 1971 in Reading
FirstEnergy Stadium
FirstEnergy Stadium is a 9,000-seat baseball-only stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania that hosted its first regular season baseball game in 1951. The park is home to the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League. It was voted the second best place to see a baseball game by Minor League News in 2006...
. The Phillies had signed second-round draft-pick Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
on June 11. Schmidt made his professional debut in the exhibition game in Reading. Schmidt played the whole game at shortstop for the Phillies and hit a game-winning homerun against Reading. He was subsequently assigned to the Reading club where he played the balance of the season.
On June 25, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
outfielder Willie Stargell
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell , nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
hit what wound up being the longest home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
history off of pitcher Jim Bunning
Jim Bunning
James Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
in a 14-4 Pirates win over the Phillies. The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, when the white circle was painted black. The star remained until the stadium's 2004 demolition.
Notable transactions
- April 22, 1971: Johnny BriggsJohnny Briggs (baseball)John Edward Briggs is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins...
was traded by the Phillies to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Ray PetersRay PetersRaymond James Peters is a retired American professional baseball player and a former Major League pitcher. Peters, a , right-hander, attended Harvard University. He was drafted by the Seattle Pilots in the first round of the 1969 amateur draft...
and Pete KoegelPete KoegelPete Koegel is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, catcher, and outfielder. Koegel was drafted in the fourth round of the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Athletics. He remained in the organization through its move to Oakland, California before being traded along with...
. - June 12, 1971: Tony TaylorTony TaylorAntonio Nemesio Taylor is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1958 through , Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers...
was traded by the Phillies to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Carl Cavanaugh (minors) and Mike Fremuth (minors). - July 17, 1971: Jerry MartinJerry MartinJerry Lindsey Martin is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is the son of major league pitcher Barney Martin....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.
Draft picks
- June 8, 1971: 1971 Major League Baseball Draft1971 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1971 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The June 1971 draft was a productive one, even though none of its top ten choices yielded players who would have memorable major league careers...
- Mike SchmidtMike SchmidtMichael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round. Player signed June 11, 1971. - Dane IorgDane IorgDane Charles Iorg is a retired Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder. He played for ten seasons for four teams, including eight seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the brother of former third basemen Garth Iorg; they played against each other in the 1985 American League...
was drafted by the Phillies in the 1st round (22nd pick) of the Secondary Phase. Player signed June 19, 1971.
- Mike Schmidt
Roster
| 1971 Philadelphia Phillies | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF | 118 | 348 | 77 | .221 | 6 | 37 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 221 | 45 | .204 | 0 | 12 | |
| 95 | 185 | 42 | .227 | 2 | 23 | |
| 59 | 123 | 26 | .211 | 6 | 10 | |
| 36 | 107 | 25 | .234 | 1 | 5 | |
| 12 | 26 | 6 | .231 | 0 | 3 | |
| 10 | 22 | 4 | .182 | 0 | 3 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 149.1 | 10 | 7 | 3.38 | 104 | |
| 29 | 110 | 5 | 12 | 5.48 | 58 | |
| 37 | 108.2 | 3 | 5 | 4.39 | 49 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3.90 | 44 | |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.97 | 6 |
Records
- Terry HarmonTerry HarmonTerry Walter Harmon was a second baseman and shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies . He was a 5th round pick of the Phillies in the 1965 draft....
, National League record, Most Chances Accepted in one nine-inning game (18 chances on June 12, 1971)