Philadelphia Phillies History: Phillies Win First World Series Title
By David Hill
Heading into the 1980 season, the Philadelphia Phillies were the last of the original 16 MLB teams to fail to capture a World Series title. On this day, they finally notched their first title.
The Philadelphia Phillies, then known as the Quakers, were founded back in 1883. Through those years, they endured misery almost on par with the St. Louis Browns, considered one of the worst franchises in MLB history before moving to Baltimore to become the Orioles. They managed to capture two National League titles, making the World Series in 1915 and 1950, but won one game total in those appearances.
It took another 30 years before the Phillies returned to the Fall Classic. Facing the Kansas City Royals, the Phillies sought to exorcise their demons. This time, they had the eventual MVP in Mike Schmidt and the Cy Young award winner in Steve Carlton. Pete Rose was still producing hits and hustling around the bases. The team was an offensive juggernaut the likes of which the Phillies had never seen before.
Everything went according to plan for the first two games. The Phillies took the first two games, with rookie Bob Walk becoming the first Phillies pitcher to win a World Series game since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1915. After Kansas City took the next two games, the Phillies came back against closer Dan Quisenberry in Game Five to bring Philadelphia one game away from their first title.
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In that decisive Game Six, the Philadelphia Phillies jumped out to a 4-0 lead heading into the eighth inning. However, the Royals made things interesting. They loaded the bases with one out, and scored a run on John Wathan‘s sacrifice fly. George Brett singled to reload the bases, but Tug McGraw worked out of the jam by getting Hal McRae to ground out to end the inning.
The Royals loaded the bases again with one out in the ninth. Just as it seemed as though the Phillies would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, one of the more bizarre plays in World Series history occurred, potentially saving the series for Philadelphia.
McGraw, pitching into his second inning, was able to get Frank White to pop up into foul ground. However, Bob Boone, whose knees were almost worn out by that point in time, was unable to get all the way to the foul ball, allowing it to hit off his glove. Fortunately for the Phillies, Rose, who was nearby, reacted quickly and snared the errant popup. McGraw then struck out Willie Wilson to end the game, giving the Phillies their first championship.
Next: Phillies 2016 season review
It was a long time coming, but on this day in 1980, the Philadelphia Phillies finally won their first World Series. Given their roster, it may have been a surprise had they not done so.