Philadelphia Phillies Issue First Intentional Walk

The intentional walk is commonplace these days, with hardly a day going by without several occurring. However, it took until 1899 and a suggestion from the Philadelphia Phillies Ed Delahanty before the first intentional walk was issued.

Ed Delahanty is remembered for his excellent hitting ability and his tragic, and mysterious, death at Niagara Falls. One of the greatest players in baseball history, the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman was one of the true stars of baseball at the turn of the century.

As it turns out, Delahanty may well have been one of the more innovative minds of his time. While the intentional walk is commonplace these days, it did not come into existence until this day in 1899, when Delahanty and the Phillies faced off against the New York Giants.

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That occasion would take place in the eighth inning of their contest. With runners on second and third and one out, Giants outfielder Tom O’Brien came up to the plate. O’Brien had hit Phillies pitcher Jack Fifield well, leading to Delahanty suggesting the intential walk. The new strategy worked, as the next batter, Fred Hartman, hit into a double play to end the inning.

After the obvious success of the strategy, the intentional walk began to be used. While it was not used at as frequently as in modern times, it proved to be an effective weapon and a great way to bring up a potentially weaker hitter to get out of a difficult situation.

It would have been interesting to see whether or not the intentional walk would be such a strategic part of the game had it not been successful when first used. Had Hartman gotten a hit after the walk to O’Brien, the intentional walk may have just been a novelty that would have been used that one time. Of course, the strategy may have come back in the future, but it is interesting to think about.

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The intentional walk is a key part of modern baseball strategy, but was first used back in 1899 by the Philadelphia Phillies.