Key Events in Phillies History on October 13

  • On October 13, 1888, the Phillies were awarded a forfeit win over the Chicago White Stockings after Chicago’s manager Cap Anson incorrectly predicted rain and kept his team at the hotel, failing to show up at the ballpark by 4 p.m.
  • In 1915, the Phillies lost Game 5 of the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, at Baker Bowl. The loss gave Boston the championship and ended Philadelphia’s first-ever World Series appearance.
  • On October 13, 1993, the Phillies clinched the National League pennant with a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 of the NLCS at Veterans Stadium. Tommy Greene outpitched Greg Maddux, and key hits from Darren Daulton, Dave Hollins, and Mickey Morandini sealed the victory.
  • In 2008, the Phillies took a commanding 3-1 lead in the NLCS against the Dodgers with a dramatic 7-5 win in Game 4. Shane Victorino tied the game with a two-run homer in the eighth, followed by Matt Stairs’ iconic pinch-hit go-ahead blast off Jonathan Broxton. The moment became one of the most memorable in franchise postseason history.

Phillies Birthdays on October 13

  • Steven Lerud (born 1984) – A catcher who appeared in a handful of games for the Phillies in 2012 and 2013. Though his time in the majors was brief, he provided depth behind the plate during those seasons.
  • Dick Spalding (born 1893) – A Philadelphia native who played briefly for the Phillies in 1927. He was also a noted soccer player and one of the few athletes to play both professional baseball and soccer.

A DEEPER DIVE… The 1993 NLCS

The 1993 National League Championship Series pitted the freewheeling, blue-collar Philadelphia Phillies against the heavily favored Atlanta Braves, a team loaded with pitching talent and postseason experience. The Braves had won 104 games during the regular season and were seeking their third straight trip to the World Series. The Phillies, meanwhile, had gone from worst to first under manager Jim Fregosi, finishing 97-65 and capturing the NL East behind a cast of colorful characters and clutch performers.

Game 1 set the tone for the series. Played at Veterans Stadium on October 6, the opener went into extra innings tied 3-3. In the bottom of the tenth, reserve infielder Kim Batiste—who had committed a costly error earlier—redeemed himself with a walk-off RBI double that gave the Phillies a 4-3 win. Mitch Williams earned the victory in relief, and the Phillies had stolen momentum early.

Atlanta responded with authority in Game 2. Greg Maddux dominated on the mound, and the Braves’ offense exploded for 14 runs, handing Philadelphia a lopsided 14-3 defeat. The series shifted to Atlanta with the teams tied at one game apiece.

Game 3 saw the Braves continue their offensive surge. Tom Glavine pitched effectively, and Atlanta took a 9-4 win to go up 2-1 in the series. At this point, the Phillies looked overmatched, and many expected the Braves to cruise to another pennant.

But the Phillies weren’t done. Game 4 was a tense, low-scoring affair. Danny Jackson, a veteran left-hander, outdueled John Smoltz, and the Phillies eked out a 2-1 win. Mitch Williams closed the door in the ninth, and the series was tied again.

Game 5 was another nail-biter. Played on October 11, it went into extra innings for the second time in the series. In the top of the tenth, Lenny Dykstra launched a solo home run off Mark Wohlers to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Larry Andersen recorded the save, and the Phillies returned to Philadelphia with a 3-2 series lead.

Game 6 was played on October 13 in front of a raucous Veterans Stadium crowd. Tommy Greene started for the Phillies and faced Greg Maddux again. Early in the game, Mickey Morandini lined a ball off Maddux’s leg, and the Braves ace was never quite the same. Morandini later delivered a two-run triple in the sixth inning that helped break the game open. Darren Daulton and Dave Hollins also contributed key hits, and the Phillies built a 6-3 lead. Mitch Williams came on in the ninth and recorded his second save of the series, clinching the pennant for Philadelphia.

Curt Schilling was named NLCS MVP despite not earning a win or save. He posted a 1.69 ERA and struck out 19 batters over two starts, showcasing his dominance and poise in high-pressure moments. His performance in Game 5, where he threw eight strong innings, was especially critical in keeping the Phillies in the game.

The series was a clash of styles. The Braves were buttoned-up and methodical, anchored by their legendary rotation of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and Steve Avery. The Phillies, by contrast, were a loose, gritty bunch known for their clubhouse antics, tobacco-stained uniforms, and relentless hustle. Players like Dykstra, Daulton, Kruk, Hollins, and Morandini embodied the team’s scrappy identity.

Philadelphia’s bullpen was also a key factor. Mitch Williams, nicknamed “Wild Thing,” was unpredictable but effective, earning two wins and two saves in the series. Larry Andersen and David West provided valuable middle relief, and the staff as a whole held Atlanta’s potent lineup in check during the final three games.

The Braves entered the series as heavy favorites, but the Phillies’ resilience and timely hitting turned the tide. Philadelphia won three of the final four games, including two in Atlanta, and closed out the series at home in front of more than 62,000 fans.

The victory sent the Phillies to their first World Series since 1983. Though they would fall to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games, the 1993 NLCS remains one of the most memorable postseason triumphs in franchise history. It was a series defined by redemption, grit, and the kind of emotional highs that only October baseball can deliver.

For Phillies fans, the 1993 NLCS was a reminder that heart and hustle can overcome even the most daunting odds. It was a celebration of a team that refused to quit, and a moment that still resonates more than three decades later.