Phillies Events on January 7
January 7, 1890 – The Phillies bought Hall of Fame outfielder “Sliding Billy” Hamilton, who went on to be one of the era’s greatest base stealers. Hamilton played with the Phillies from 1890-1895 and hit .360 during those years and stole 510 of his 914 career stolen bases in a Phillies uniform.
January 7, 1991 – Former Phillies star Pete Rose was released from federal prison after serving time for tax evasion.
January 7, 2023 – Philadelphia made a significant trade with the Detroit Tigers, acquiring All-Star reliever Gregory Soto and infielder Kody Clemens to strengthen the roster for the upcoming season. The Phillies sent Nick Maton, Donny Sands, and Matt Vierling to the Tigers.

MLB Events on January 7
January 7. 1971 – Reds outfielder Bobby Tolan ruptured his Achilles tendon playing basketball in the offseason, cost­ing him the upcoming season.
January 7, 1985 – Lou Brock and Hoyt Wilhelm were elected to the Hall of Fame. Both legendary players were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA, acknowledging their outstanding careers.
January 7, 1992 – Pitchers Tom Seaver and Rollie Fingers were chosen by the BBWAA to enter the Hall of Fame, cementing their places among baseball’s elite.

Phillies Birthdays on January 7
Fred Warner (born 1855) Born in Philadelphia, was a 19th-century infielder who played for early teams including the Athletics (1886) and the Philadelphia Quakers (1893). Warner hit .234 over six seasons.
Kitty Bransfield (born 1875) Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, was a first baseman who spent 1905-1911 playing for the Phillies and posted a solid .270 batting average over 12 seasons.
Carlton Lord (born 1900) Another Philadelphia born player, played third base in 17 games for the 1923 Phillies, collecting 11 hits in 47 at-bats (.234) during his only major league season.
Al Todd (born 1902) A catcher who debuted with the Phillies in 1931 and was with the team through 1935. He played 11 seasons in the majors and later worked as a scout.
Al Dark (born 1922) An MLB infielder and later manager, Dark was acquired by the Phillies prior to the 1960 season in the trade that sent Richie Ashburn to the Chicago Cubs. In June, 1960, Dark was traded by the Phillies to the Milwaukee Braves for infielder Joe Morgan (not that Joe Morgan). Dark played 14 seasons in the majors and then went on to manage for 13 seasons with San Francisco, the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland, Oakland, and San Diego.
Phillippe Aumont (born 1989) Born in Hull, Quebec, Aumont was a right-handed pitcher traded to the Phillies in the 2009 Cliff Lee deal and made his MLB debut with Philadelphia in 2012. Aumont struggled with command issues, which limited him MLB career. For more on Phillippe Aumont and how he unwittingly got himself involved in a rough clubhouse moment, see PBN Extra Innings on Substack. (subscription required)

MLB Birthdays on January 7
Johnny Mize (born 1913) Hall of Fame first baseman who played 15 seasons in the majors, missing 1943-1945 to serve in the military. Known as “The Big Cat”, he was one of the premier sluggers in his era.
Tony Conigliaro (born 1945) A talented slugger whose promising career was disrupted by injury.
Alfonso Soriano (born 1976) Power/speed star with four 30-30 seasons and one 40-40 season, who made the all-star team in seven straight seasons.
Jon Lester (born 1984) Three-time World Series champion who pitched 16 seasons with Boston, Oakland, the Chicago Cubs, Washington, and St. Louis.
Ozzie Albies (born 1997) Switch-hitting second baseman who debuted in 2017 with Atlanta and has been named to three all-star teams and won two Silver Slugger awards.

A DEEPER DIVE… Born in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has always been a baseball town first and a city second. Long before the Phillies became a civic heartbeat and the Athletics built dynasties in North Philly, sandlots, schoolyards, and neighborhood diamonds were quietly shaping kids who would go on to the majors. Not every Philadelphia-born player wound up wearing a hometown uniform, but the city’s fingerprints show up all over baseball history. A few of those stories are especially rich when the player either reached the Hall of Fame or later came back to represent the city on the field.

Roy Campanella and the National Stage

If you’re talking about Philadelphia-born Hall of Famers, Roy Campanella is the headliner. Campanella was born in Philadelphia in 1921 and grew up playing the game in local leagues before breaking into professional baseball through the Negro Leagues. When Jackie Robinson integrated the majors with the Dodgers, Campanella followed soon after and became one of the finest catchers the game has ever seen.

He won three National League MVP awards, handled pitching staffs with quiet authority, and brought power to a position that rarely featured it in that era. While Campanella never played for the Phillies or the Athletics, there’s still a deep sense of local pride tied to his roots. His rise from Philadelphia sandlots to Cooperstown is a reminder that the city was producing elite talent even when opportunity was limited by segregation. For a generation of young players in the region, Campanella represented proof that a kid from the neighborhood could reach the highest stage in baseball.

Del Ennis and the Homegrown Star

If you want the pure hometown connection, Del Ennis fits it perfectly. Ennis was born in Philadelphia in 1925 and went on to become one of the Phillies’ most productive hitters during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was a key part of the Whiz Kids era, providing consistent power and run production in the heart of the lineup.

Ennis wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable, tough, and productive. He played on three All-Star teams and drove in runs in bunches at a time when offense across the league was far from guaranteed. There’s something especially satisfying for fans when a player grows up in the city and then becomes a star for the hometown club. Ennis embodied that connection. He understood the fan base, the grind of the city, and the pride that came with wearing a Philadelphia uniform. Even decades later, longtime fans still speak about him with an affectionate respect reserved for players who truly felt like one of their own.

From the A’s Era: Harry Davis

Philadelphia’s baseball history didn’t begin or end with the Phillies. During the early 20th century, the Athletics were one of the dominant franchises in the sport, and one of their foundational stars was Harry Davis, who was born in Philadelphia in 1873. Davis played first base and outfield for Connie Mack’s A’s and became one of the league’s premier hitters during the dead-ball era.

He led the American League in home runs for three consecutive seasons (1904-1906) when power was rare. His bat helped anchor the Athletics during their rise to prominence. Davis eventually transitioned into managing, including time managing the Cleveland Indians, but his roots and his prime playing years were tied directly to Philadelphia. In many ways, he represents the earliest chapter of Philadelphia producing its own professional stars and watching them thrive in front of the home crowd.

Why Philadelphia Keeps Feeding the Game

Part of Philadelphia’s success in producing ballplayers comes from density and diversity. Kids grow up competing constantly, learning how to win and lose in tight spaces, and playing against a wide range of styles. Baseball has always been accessible here, from neighborhood diamonds to organized leagues that stretch back well over a century. Add in the presence of historic franchises and legendary players who once walked the same streets, and the game feels woven into daily life.

Whether it’s Roy Campanella carrying Philadelphia grit onto the national stage, Del Ennis becoming a hometown hero in red pinstripes, or Harry Davis helping build the Athletics into an early powerhouse, the city’s impact on baseball history runs deeper than many people realize. Philadelphia doesn’t just watch baseball. It quietly helps make it.

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