The Main Event
February 4, 1985 – Slugger Greg Luzinski announces his retirement. In a 15-season career, “The Bull” was a .276 hitter with 307 home runs and 1,128 RBI with the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox.
Greg Luzinski’s path to Philadelphia stardom was not a straight line, but it fit his personality. Drafted by the Phillies in the second round in 1968 out of Archbishop Molloy High School in New York, he was immediately known for two things: enormous raw power and a physique that did not resemble the classic, lean ballplayer. He spent several years in the minors learning how to harness his strength and refine his approach, finally reaching the majors in 1970. By the early 1970s, it was clear the Phillies had something special. Luzinski was not just a slugger. He was a hitter capable of changing a game with one swing and intimidate pitchers simply by stepping into the box.
Luzinski’s famous nickname, “The Bull,” grew naturally out of his build, playing style, and personality. Contemporary accounts point to teammates, writers, and fans all using it early in his career, with Phillies beat writers helping popularize it as his power numbers climbed. He was broad-shouldered, thick through the chest, and aggressive at the plate, charging at fastballs the way a bull charges a matador. While no single person can be definitively credited with coining the nickname, it stuck quickly because it fit so perfectly. By the mid-1970s, “The Bull” was inseparable from Luzinski’s identity in Philadelphia.
Peak years with the Phillies
Luzinski’s prime came between 1974 and 1979, when he established himself as one of the most feared hitters in the National League. He hit 39 home runs in 1975, a Phillies record at the time, and followed that with multiple 30-home-run seasons. He finished second in the National League MVP voting in 1975 and consistently ranked among league leaders in runs batted in. His swing was violent but controlled, and when he connected, the ball left the bat with a sound Phillies fans still talk about decades later.
Defensively, Luzinski was a left fielder early in his career, though range was never his strength. As artificial turf became more common and his body took a toll, he transitioned increasingly into a designated hitter role especially during his time with the Chicago White Sox in the American League. What he lacked in speed and defense, he more than made up for with production in the middle of the lineup.
Luzinski was a central figure in the Phillies teams that finally pushed the franchise into contention in the late 1970s. He played in the 1976, 1977, and 1978 National League Championship Series, delivering key hits in pressure moments. He was also a pivotal player for the 1980 World Series champions. The 1980 season was his last in Philadelphia, but during his tenure, his presence helped change the culture of the franchise. The team was no longer content to be competitive. They expected to win.
Later career and life after Philadelphia
In March of 1981, with his knees failing, the Phillies sold his contract to the Chicago White Sox, where the designated hitter role allowed his bat to remain productive. He continued to hit for power into the mid-1980s before retiring. In retirement, he remained deeply connected to Philadelphia, becoming a familiar presence at Phillies events, fantasy camps, and alumni functions and even operating Bull’s Barbecue at Citizens Bank Park where he can normally be found on game days. He embraced his place in the city’s sports culture, leaning into the larger-than-life persona fans still love today.
Legacy in Phillies history
Greg Luzinski’s legacy is not just statistical, though his numbers hold up well. It is emotional. He represented a turning point for the Phillies, a symbol of toughness, power, and belief. “The Bull” was never graceful, never subtle, and never forgettable. For generations of Phillies fans, he remains the embodiment of a team learning how to win and a city falling in love with its sluggers.
Read about a classic Home Run Derby between Greg Luzinski and Mike Schmidt on our Substack (free article); PBN Extra Innings. While you are there, sign up for a free subscription and take advantage of a FREE 7-DAY FREE TRIAL.
Phillies Events on February 4
February 4, 1946 – The Philadelphia Phillies purchased the contracts of pitcher Al Jurisich and outfielder Johnny Wyrostek from the St. Louis Cardinals. The move added immediate major-league depth as the club prepared for its first full post-World War II season.
February 4, 1985 – The Phillies completed an offseason trade that sent veteran first baseman Al Oliver to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Pat Zachry, who made 10 relief appearances with the Phillies in ’85 with a 4.26 ERA and was released in June.
Also… February 4, 1969 – Attorney Bowie Kuhn is named commissioner, succeeding Spike Eckert. Kuhn receives a one-year contract paying him $100,000. Major league owners turned to Kuhn after failing to agree on either of two other candidates, Mike Burke of the New York Yankees and Chub Feeney of the San Francisco Giants. The early favorite, John McHale, took his name out of the running early, as he had accepted the job of President of the expansion Montreal Expos.
From PBN: Pitcher Daniel Robert returned to the Phillies on a minor league deal.
Elsewhere:
The Athletic – Matt Gelb talked to Orion Kerkering about the challenges he faces in 2026 (subscription required)
The Inquirer – Lochlahn March and Scott Lauber give you Everything You Need to Know About Spring Training
Phillies Birthdays on February 4
George Whitted (born 1888) – An outfielder who played five seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies, Whitted was also known as “Possum” Whitted. Overall, he played 11 seasons in the majors.
Lou Say (born 1884) – A shortstop and third baseman who appeared for the Philadelphia Athletics in the Deadball Era, hit .226 for the 1882 A’s. Say was a versatile infielder whose career spanned seven seasons with eight different teams in the 1880s.
Doc Miller (born 1896) – A right fielder who appeared for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1912 and 1913. Miller hit .307 in his time in Philadelphia and was a career .295 hitter.
Dan Plesac (born 1962) – A hard-throwing left-handed reliever, Plesac pitched 18 seasons for six different teams. He pitched for the Phillies in 2002 and 2003, the final two seasons of his career. After his playing career, he has become a well-known and well-respected national baseball broadcaster.
Chris Coste (born 1973) – A longtime minor-league catcher who finally reached the majors with the Phillies in 2006 and became a fan favorite. Coste was a member of the 2008 World Champions and hit nine home runs and drove in 36 in 98 games that season.
Scott Shores (born 1972) – Drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 1994 Draft, Shores spent four seasons in the Phillies minor league system, but never reached the majors.
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