This Date in Phillies History: November 11

Events in Phillies history on November 11

November 11, 2010 – The Philadelphia Phillies hired Juan Samuel as their third-base coach.
November 11, 2016 – The Phillies acquired veteran second-baseman/outfielder Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for first-baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf and minor-leaguer Darnell Sweeney.
November 11, 2021 – Phillies right-fielder Bryce Harper was named a National League Silver Slugger Award winner.

Phillies-connected individuals born on November 11

Roberto Hernández (1964) – Relief pitcher who made 20 starts and 3 relief appearances for the Phillies in 2014, posting a 3.87 ERA. Had a 17-year MLB career, and was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico.
Vinny Nittoli (1990) – Right-handed pitcher who pitched two shutout innings for the Phillies in 2022 prior to being released the following offseason.

A DEEPER DIVE… The career of Juan Samuel

Juan Samuel’s baseball career is one of speed, energy, and perseverance, and his time in Philadelphia stands as the defining chapter of his journey in the game. Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1980, Samuel rose through the team’s farm system quickly, showcasing the blend of athleticism and aggressiveness that would later make him one of the most exciting players of the 1980s. By the time he reached the majors in 1983, Philadelphia was in transition, having just moved on from much of the core that won the 1980 World Series. Samuel’s arrival injected the roster with youthful electricity.

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In his rookie season of 1984, Samuel burst onto the scene as the team’s second baseman and leadoff hitter, immediately becoming a fan favorite. He hit 15 home runs, stole 72 bases, and scored 105 runs, earning an All-Star selection and finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. His 72 steals remain among the best single-season totals in Phillies history. Samuel’s aggressive approach at the plate and on the basepaths made him a thrilling player to watch, even if it also led to high strikeout totals and occasional defensive lapses. He was the kind of player who could change a game with a single swing or stolen base, a quality that made him a vital spark for a team that was searching for identity in the post-Schmidt era.

Over the next several seasons, Samuel remained one of the Phillies’ most dynamic contributors. Between 1984 and 1987, he averaged 19 home runs and 50 stolen bases per season, twice topping 100 runs scored. He earned three All-Star selections during his time with Philadelphia and was often among the National League leaders in extra-base hits and stolen bases. While he was never the most patient hitter, his combination of power and speed was rare for a middle infielder of his era. He became the first player in major league history to reach double figures in doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in each of his first four seasons.

By 1989, the Phillies had begun to rebuild again, and Samuel’s name surfaced in trade discussions. That June, the team made a major move, dealing him to the New York Mets in exchange for Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell. It proved to be a pivotal trade for both franchises. For the Phillies, Dykstra became a key piece of their 1993 pennant-winning club. For Samuel, the deal marked the end of his days as a Phillies cornerstone, though he would go on to have a respectable career as a journeyman player with several teams, including the Dodgers, Royals, and Tigers.

After retiring as a player in 1998, Samuel stayed close to the game and eventually returned to Philadelphia in a new capacity. The Phillies brought him back as a coach, and he served in multiple roles, including first-base and third-base coach, as well as interim manager during a brief stint in 2015. His return symbolized the full-circle nature of his career—a homecoming for one of the most electrifying players to wear a Phillies uniform in the 1980s.

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