Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies: Striking karma gold in 2020 for 1981’s pain

By Tal Venada

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Bryce Harper #3 and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate their 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Bryce Harper #3 and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate their 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Phillies manager Mauch argues a play involving third sacker Hoak (12). Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images. /

Sour and sweet:    

Beginning with the bitter, the ’64 Phillies were finally in first place when September arrived. And Johnny Callison even hammered a three-run souvenir to the paying customers in the right field stands with two ninth-inning outs: a walk-off victory in the All-Star Game! Yes, he was the MVP!

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:    “That homer was the greatest thrill of my life, but I remember thinking that it was only the beginning. It was going to be the Phillies year. We had everything going our way. Everything.” – Johnny Callison"

For the first five months, the red pinstripes had just three four-game losing streaks, but only rare clubs avoid a prolonged rough patch. And this gang of Phils wasn’t among them. So, the bill came due with 12 contests remaining: a 10-game losing streak.

Manager Gene Mauch was so desperate he started Jim Bunning and Chris Short in eight of the final 12 opportunities. Yes, it could have been worse! They beat the Cincinnati Reds twice to tie them for second instead of losing both to share third place with the San Francisco Giants.

"WORDS OF WISDOM: “Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning, you got off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you’re in a slump. If you lose at the end, you’re choking” – Gene Mauch"

While the ’07 Fightins had started at 3-9, they had an 86-64 mark afterward. By contrast, the Metropolitans had produced a 34-18 record by May’s end but went 54-56 through game 162. And although their 1-6 mark highlighted their finish, it was their second five-game schneid for a 5-12 collapse.

In a twist of fate, Tom Glavine, who had signed with the Mets over the Phils in 2003, was on the mound for the final contest with both teams tied at 88-73. But the then Florida Marlins scored seven runs (all earned) to Glavine’s only out.

To the south of Queens, cheers echoed through the Bank before game time. Basically, the team to beat was 26-27 at May’s end and eight games out. But they had two six-game winning streaks from Aug. 26 to the last battle. In fact, four home victories came against New York during the August run.

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