Phillies (and Philadelphia Athletics/Quakers) Events on January 21
January 21, 1919 – The Philadelphia Phillies traded third baseman Milt Stock, catcher Pickles Dillhoeffer, and pitcher Frank Davis to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for infielders Doug Baird and Stuffy Stewart, pitcher Eugene Packard, and cash, a notable early franchise transaction.
January 21, 1953 – Former Philadelphia Athletics star Al Simmons was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring his outstanding hitting career with the A’s during their Philadelphia years.
January 21, 1958 – The Phillies secured an expanded National League television broadcast deal in New York City, increasing the team’s media exposure during the early television era of baseball.
January 21, 2007 – Second baseman Chase Utley signed a seven-year, $85 million contract extension with the Phillies, locking down a key part of the team’s core for its competitive run in the late 2000s.
January 21, 2010 – The Phillies announced that pitcher Joe Blanton agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $24 million, solidifying the stability of the rotation following the team’s 2008 World Series season.
January 21, 2014 – The Phillies signed veteran and former Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Abreu was released in March and played the 2014 season – his last in the majors – with the New York Mets.
Phillies, Athletics, and Quakers Birthdays on January 21 (Chronological)
Lew Fonseca (born 1899): Fonseca was a major-league infielder and later manager who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1925 when he hit 7 home runs, had 60 RBI and batted .319; he also led the National League in batting in 1929 when he batted .369 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He later managed the White Sox in 1932 and ’33 before being fired 15 games into the 1934 season. His record as a manager was a dismal 120-196 (.380).
Blix Donnelly (born 1914): A right-handed pitcher who played four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, including as a member of the 1950 “Whiz Kids” NL pennant team; he appeared in 113 games and posted a 3.64 ERA for the club during his major-league career.
Johnny Oates (born 1946): Oates was acquired from Atlanta in May of 1975 along with Dick Allen for Jim Essian and Barry Bonnell. He played in 127 games with the Phillies over two seasons and hit .277 as a backup catcher. Oates played for Baltimore, Atlanta, the Dodgers and the Yankees in addition to Philadelphia during his playing career. He was also a major-league manager, leading the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles during his post-playing career.
Chase d’Arnaud (born 1987): A utility player who appeared in the major leagues with several clubs, including the Phillies in 2015; he provided defensive versatility and served roles both in the majors and minors throughout his career.
Jake Diekman (born 1987): A left-handed pitcher who debuted with the Phillies in 2012 after being drafted by the club in the 30th round of the 2007 Draft. He pitched with the Phillies until being dealt to Texas along with Cole Hamels in 2015. In all, Diekman pitched 13 seasons in the majors and made 705 relief appearances and no starts, finishing with a career 3.91 ERA.
A DEEPER DIVE… What’s in a name?
Here’s a fun, conversational look at some of the Philadelphia Phillies (and early Philadelphia baseball) figures whose names or nicknames make you do a double-take. Baseball has always been full of characters, and the Phillies franchise — stretching back to the 1880s and including the Philadelphia Quakers and Athletics — has its fair share of folks with peculiar or colorful monikers. Let’s meet some of the most memorable.
Early Era Oddities and Quirky Nicknames
Baseball’s early years were full of larger-than-life nicknames, and the Phillies inherited plenty of them. Take Pickles Dillhoeffer, for example. His real first name was William, but “Pickles” is exactly the kind of nickname teammates and fans in the early 20th century would latch onto — these sorts of food-based nicknames were fairly common back then. From Pretzels to Beans and Spud, the game was rich with culinary sobriquets. Phillies history even includes a host of animal-themed names like Possum and Bull, a nod to both players’ personalities and the playful culture of the sport.
Another player whose nickname stands out is Bob “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson, who played for the Philadelphia Quakers back in 1883. He earned that almost mythical name long before gloves were standard equipment, because he was so adept at snaring fly balls bare-handed. That evocative label sticks in baseball lore as one of the coolest and weirder nicknames from the 19th century.
Weeping Willie was Claude Willoughby, a 1920s pitcher whose nickname was interpreted many ways — perhaps a nod to his style or his demeanor on the mound. These kinds of distinctions gave players distinct personalities in an era before widespread media coverage.
Blix Donnelly is another straight-up unusual name. Born Blix in 1914, he pitched for the Phillies and was part of the 1950 “Whiz Kids” pennant team. Unlike many nicknames that were earned or bestowed, his first name was genuinely unique, and it’s one of those names that instantly sticks in your head when you read Phillies history.
Cultural and Descriptive Nicknames
Food, animals, and personality traits all contributed to a great arsenal of nicknames over the decades. For instance, “Cactus” Gavvy Cravath played for the Phillies in the early 1900s. The nickname “Cactus” stems from his California origins and his rugged, prickly demeanor, fitting a slugger and long-time franchise standout.
Some names made it because of how players looked, acted, or played. Dick “Crash” Allen got his name because he famously wore a batting helmet while fielding to protect himself from objects thrown by rowdy fans. That name isn’t just quirky, it’s a little story in itself about the era.
Nicknames like “Gnat” Bowa for Larry Bowa were simple yet effective. Gnat was a reference to his tenacious defense and his pestering presence on the field, zipping around like the insect itself. Teammates and sportswriters loved the imagery.
Then there’s Octavio “Cookie” Rojas, whose nickname came from the Spanish “Cuqui,” later anglicized to the deliciously catchy “Cookie.” It reflected both his heritage and an affectionate team culture that liked to shorten or adapt names in a memorable way.
Modern Nicknames with Personality
Fast-forwarding to more recent decades, some Phillies nicknames became part of baseball’s broader pop cultural conversation. Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams probably has one of the most famous nicknames in Phillies memory, tied directly to his unconventional pitching wind-up and his propensity for falling off of the mound after he threw. Of course, it played perfectly as a homage to fictional pitcher Ricky Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen in the movie “Major League.”
Then you have vibrant modern era names like “The Big Piece” for Ryan Howard. This one came from manager Charlie Manuel and perfectly encapsulated Howard’s role as the middle-of-the-order powerhouse. Simple, descriptive, and easy to rally around. “J-Roll” for Jimmy Rollins because of his smooth style of play and his laid back demeanor.
Utility players and entertainers of the clubhouse often got offbeat names too. Sometimes it was a simple play on their real names, like “Vuke” for John Vukovich, used by teammates and fans alike. “Bamboo” Brad Miller, famous for bringing a Bamboo tree, known to signify good luck, into the Phillies clubhouse. The team went on a winning streak and the nickname was born.
Behind the Names
Many of these nicknames came from teammates, broadcasters, or the sportswriters of their day. In the case of broadcasters themselves, you’ll find unique ones too. The legendary Harry Kalas earned the moniker “Harry the K” from pitcher Larry Christenson, which became a beloved tag among Phillies fans and an enduring part of his legacy. Another Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler and current Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler were given the obvious nickname of “Wheels.”
Nicknames add color to the game and help us remember not just who players were, but how they were perceived. Whether it was a reference to home state, personality, play style, or even a physical quirk, these names have helped define the character of the Phillies franchise through the decades. From the 19th-century bare-handed ball snaggers to 20th-century power hitters and modern crowd favorites, each name has added to the rich tapestry of Philadelphia baseball lore. Each quirky first name or nickname is a doorway into a story, a time, and a clubhouse full of personalities. And that’s what makes exploring these names such an entertaining part of baseball history.
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