Phillies Events on January 11
January 11, 1960 – The Phillies traded fan-favorite center fielder Richie Ashburn to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher John Buzhardt, infielder Alvin Dark, and third baseman Jim Woods; Ashburn had been a cornerstone of the Philadelphia outfield throughout the 1950s and would later return to the team as a broadcaster. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
MLB Events on January 11
January 11, 1915 – Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L’Hommedieu Huston purchased the New York Yankees franchise, marking a new era for the team.
January 11, 1968 – The American League granted an expansion franchise to Kansas City, which would become the Royals, expanding the league’s footprint.
January 11, 1973 – MLB owners voted to adopt the designated hitter rule for a three-year experimental period in the American League, a rule change that would eventually become a permanent and defining part of the league and eventually, all of Major League Baseball.
January 11, 1983 – The New York Yankees hired Billy Martin as manager for the third time, a notable episode in the storied managerial career of Martin and the relationship between Martin and owner George Steinbrenner.
January 11, 2000 – Carlton Fisk and Tony Perez were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the game.
Phillies Birthdays on January 11
Elmer Flick (born 1876) – Hall of Fame outfielder Elmer Flick, who played with the Phillies from 1898-1901 and with the Philadelphia Athletics for part of the 1902 season, during his major league career, was born in Bedford, Ohio; Flick was one of the premier sluggers and hitters of the early 20th century.
Donn Pall (born 1962) – A right-handed pitcher who played in the major leagues for the White Sox and other clubs, including eight relief appearances with the Phillies in September of 1993. The Phillies acquired Pall from the White Sox for minor leaguer Doug Lindsey.
Ben Rivera (born 1968) – Bienvenido “Ben” Rivera was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic; Rivera pitched in the major leagues for the Phillies and Braves, and was part of the Phillies’ staff during their 1993 National League Championship season.
J.P. Crawford (born 1995) – Crawford was born in Long Beach, California and was drafted by the Phillies in the first round (16th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft. After debuting with the Phillies in 2017. In December of 2018 he and Carlos Santana were dealt to Seattle for pitchers Juan Nicasio and James Pazos, and infielder Jean Segura. Crawford is now the starting shortstop and a Gold Glove winner with the Seattle Mariners. (To read about J.P. Crawford’s “bad decisions” while with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, visit our companion site: PBNExtraInnings.Substack.com)
Schoolboy Rowe (born 1910) – Rowe was born in Waco, Texas. A tall and talented right-handed pitcher, he starred for the Detroit Tigers (including World Series play) and later pitched for the Phillies from 1943-1949, but missed the 1944 and 1945 seasons to serve in the military. Rowe finished his career with 158 MLB wins.
MLB Birthdays on January 11 (Non-Phillies)
Max Carey (born 1890) – A Hall of Fame outfielder known for his speed and base-stealing prowess, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Carey also played for the Brooklyn Robins late in his career. MLB Birthdays on January 11 (Non-Phillies)
Max Carey (born 1890) – A Hall of Fame outfielder known for his speed and base-stealing prowess, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Carey also played for the Brooklyn Robins late in his career. Carey, whose birth name was Maximilian George Carnarius, changed his name to protect his amateur status while playing minor league baseball during the summer of 1909.
Trevor Hoffman (born 1967) – One of MLB’s all-time great closers, the longtime San Diego Padres reliever amassed over 600 saves in his career and is a member of the Hall of Fame.
A DEEPER DIVE… Trading Richie Ashburn
Richie Ashburn wasn’t just a great center fielder for the Phillies, he was part of the city’s baseball identity. From the moment he debuted in 1948, Ashburn became the face of the Whiz Kids era and a fixture in the National League. He won two batting titles, played elite defense in spacious Shibe Park, and brought a hustling, team-first style that fans adored. By the late 1950s, though, the Phillies were changing. The roster was aging, the team was sliding in the standings, and management felt pressure to retool. That set the stage for one of the most emotionally charged trades in franchise history.
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On January 11, 1960, the Phillies traded Ashburn to the Chicago Cubs in a multi-player deal that brought back pitcher John Buzhardt, infielder Alvin Dark, and third baseman Jim Woods. On paper, it looked like a classic baseball decision. Ashburn was 32, his power numbers were modest, and the front office believed he had few good years remaining. The Phillies needed pitching depth and infield stability, and the return package reflected a desire to balance the roster rather than rely so heavily on a single star.
But baseball isn’t played on paper, especially in Philadelphia. Ashburn was beloved. He had been the team’s emotional heartbeat for more than a decade, the guy who dove for balls in the gap, slapped line drives the other way, and carried himself with humility and humor. Fans had grown up with him. Many had never known a Phillies outfield without Ashburn placed securely in the middle of it.
The reaction was swift and loud. Newspapers lit up with angry letters. Talk around the city centered on disbelief and heartbreak. Some fans felt betrayed, believing ownership had traded away the soul of the team. Even those who understood the business side of baseball struggled to accept it. Ashburn himself was stunned. He had always assumed he would finish his career in Philadelphia, and the move hit him hard emotionally.
A Fresh Start in Chicago
Ashburn handled the transition with professionalism and immediately proved he still had plenty left in the tank. In Chicago, he remained a productive leadoff hitter, posting strong on-base percentages and continuing to play steady defense. His veteran presence helped stabilize a young Cubs roster, and he quickly became respected in the clubhouse.
His success in Chicago quietly validated the fears of Phillies fans who believed the trade came too soon. Ashburn showed that speed, instincts, and baseball IQ can age gracefully, even as raw athleticism begins to fade. He also embraced his role as a mentor, something that would later define his post-playing career.
A Piece of Mets History
In 1962, Ashburn became part of another unique baseball chapter when he joined the New York Mets, baseball’s first modern expansion team. The Mets struggled mightily in their inaugural season, losing more than 120 games, but Ashburn gave the franchise credibility and professionalism. He was one of the few steady performers on a roster filled with castoffs and aging veterans.
Even in a losing environment, Ashburn’s approach never changed. He played hard, stayed upbeat, and helped younger players learn how to prepare for the daily grind of the majors. His time with the Mets was brief, but it cemented his reputation as a respected ambassador for the game.
Life in the Broadcast Booth
After retiring as a player, Ashburn returned to Philadelphia in a way that felt like a homecoming. He joined the Phillies broadcast team and quickly became one of the most beloved voices in baseball. His storytelling, dry humor, and deep understanding of the game made listening to a Phillies broadcast feel like sitting next to a knowledgeable friend.
Ashburn had a rare gift for blending insight with warmth. He had the ability to break down a defensive alignment one moment and share a perfectly timed anecdote the next. Generations of fans came to know him as much through their radios and televisions as they did through old highlight reels. His partnership with Harry Kalas became iconic, helping define the sound of Phillies baseball for decades.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 1995, Ashburn was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a moment that felt long overdue to those who watched him play and listened to him broadcast. His career numbers reflected consistency, durability, and excellence at a demanding position. More than that, his impact on the game extended beyond statistics. He represented professionalism, respect for the sport, and a genuine connection with fans.
A Trade That Still Echoes
The 1960 trade to the Cubs remains a powerful emotional touchstone in Phillies history. It marked the end of an era and reminded fans that baseball, at its core, is a business even when hearts are deeply invested. Yet Ashburn’s story didn’t end with that trade. He continued to play well, helped launch an expansion franchise, became one of the game’s great broadcasters, and earned his place in Cooperstown.
In the end, Ashburn never really left Philadelphia. The uniform changed, but the bond with the city endured, proving that some players transcend transactions and become permanent pieces of baseball memory.
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