Mike Schmidt could be characterized by one phrase, it would be this: Walk softly and carry a big stick. Mild mannered, even tempered and one of the most fearsome slugging third baseman of all time. That was Mike Schmidt. He hit for average, he hit for powere, and he fielded third base better than anyone of his era. In his prime, Mike Schmidt was considered by many, as the best player in baseball. In 1989, when he wrapped up his 18 year career (all of which was with Philadelphia), only six men in history had hit more home runs, and no National League third baseman had won more gold gloves. He led the Phillies to five NL East titles, two pennants and a World Series win. Schmidt proved that actions speak louder than words.
Interesting Mike Schmidt Story
In 1980, Mike Schmidt was a desperate man. During the late 1970s, Philadelphia was one of baseball's winningest teams, but only during the regular season. In three straight trips to the National League Championship Series between 1976 and '78, the Phillies came away empty-handed, winning a total of just two games in the three series.
The 1980 season proved to be different. Having blasted 45 homers the previous year, Schmidt was primed and determined to take the Phillies past the NLCS all the way to the World Series, even if it meant carrying the team on his back. For much of the year he did just that, hitting a career high and major league leading 48 homers (a record for third basemen). Toward the end of the season, the Phillies found themselves in a hot pennant race with Montreal. Schmidt, who had been Philadelphia's clutch performer all year, was swinging his bat more ferociously than ever. In four of the club's last five victories of the season, he batted in the winning run. His heroics earned him the first of three NL MVP awards.
Despite a less than illustrious performance by their all star third baseman in the championship series, the Phillies beat Houston and captured their first pennant in 30 years, earning a trip to the World Series against the Kansas City Royals.
Fueled by his poor showing in the NLCS, Schmidt was eager to redeem himself in the fall classic. He regained the awesome form that he had displayed all season, batting .381 and hammering two home runs. The Phillies went on to win the World Series, and Mike Schmidt finally had the World Series tropy he had so desperately wanted.
Mike Schmidt Facts - Did you know?
- When Mike Schmidt was a teenager, his grandmother would take in his baseball pants so that they would be as tight as those of their mutual idol, Pete Rose. :)
- Once while on a radio talk show, Schmidt riled Philadelphia fans by saying they were out of control. He thought the statement would anger Phillie fans, so in his next home game, he wore sunglasses and a long black wig during warmup to make light of the situation. Rather than boo him, the crowd cheered.
- On April 17, 1976 Schmidt hit four homers in a game agains the Cubs.
- When Schmidt retired in 1989, he held or shared 14 Major League records, 18 National League records and 24 Philadelphia Phillie records.
Mike Schmidt Career Highlights
- World Series Champ, 1980
- World Series MVP, 1980
- 3 Time NL Baseball MVP
- 4 Time NL RBI Champ
- 8 Time NL Home Run Champ
- 10 Time Gold Glove Winner
- 12 Time All Star Selection
- Hall of Fame, 1995
