February 27: The Phillies 2008 NLCS Hero is Born

The Main Event

Matt Stairs (born 1968) – Outfielder and pinch-hitter known for his power; Stairs was acquired from Toronto in August, 2008 for pitcher Fabio Castro. He was a member of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship team and delivered a pinch-hit home run in Game 4 of the World Series to help propel the Phillies to a championship. Had a long major league career spanning 19 seasons during which he played for 12 different teams.

Matt Stairs was born in 1968 in Ontario, Canada, and from a young age showed an affinity for hitting with power. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1989 and began the long climb through the minor leagues that so many ballplayers walk. Stairs was not a typical prospect with lightning speed or flashy defense. What he carried with him his whole career was an ability to drive the baseball, a sweet left-handed swing that could clear fences with surprising authority.

His big league career began in 1992 with the Montreal Expos, but Stairs‘ path was far from linear. He became something of a baseball journeyman, spending significant time with several clubs across North America. After Montreal, he made stops in Boston with the Red Sox, in Oakland with the A’s, and in Baltimore with the Orioles. He also played in Chicago with the Cubs, in Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.

The Philadelphia Phillies Era

When he arrived in Philly, during the 2008 season, the Phillies were a team looking for instant offense for a postseason run. The Citizens Bank Park crowd soon learned his name, not because he was flashy, but because he hit the ball hard and hit it far. He became one of the Phillies’ most dependable power threats and a veteran presence who could change a game with a swing.

Whether starting or coming off the bench, he flexed the kind of bat that made him a valuable asset in the National League, where strategy and late-game moves matter so much.

The peak of Stairs’ time with the Phillies — and the most iconic moment of his career — came during the 2008 National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. In Game 4, the Phillies were leading the series two games to one with the game tied 5-5 in the top of the eighth. With a runner on base and the game hanging in the balance, manager Charlie Manuel sent Stairs to pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth.

The situation was tense. The Phillies needed runs, and Stairs had earned a reputation as a clutch hitter. Facing Jonathan Broxton, Stairs delivered a deep, towering home run that put the Phillies up 7-5. It is a moment forever etched in Phillies lore, a veteran’s swing that helped push the franchise toward its second World Series title in team history. The Phillies won the game and came back the next day to win 5-1 behind Cole Hamels, who would be the NLCS MVP, to clinch the series and head to the World Series.

Later Career and Hitting Coach in Philadelphia

After his playing days, Stairs continued his engagement with baseball. He spent time playing in other locations, including San Diego and Washington. But it was clear that his connection to Philadelphia remained strong, both with fans and with the organization.

In 2017, the Phillies brought Stairs back in a different role, tapping into his deep knowledge of hitting to serve as the team’s hitting coach. It was his first season in that capacity at the Major League level, and he quickly became known for his ability to communicate with hitters, to understand what they needed, and to draw from his extensive playing experience in guiding their development. Stairs worked with a young Phillies lineup that was learning how to compete in a tough National League East. Players relied on his insights and enjoyed the enthusiasm he brought to the coaching staff.

A Career Across North America

Throughout his playing career, Stairs traveled widely. He suited up for 12 different teams over a 19 year playing career. Everywhere he played, he brought that signature powerful swing and the mindset of a hitter who understood himself and his craft deeply. He was not a Hall of Famer by the traditional measure of sustained excellence, but he was one of baseball’s most memorable role players. Opposing pitchers knew him well, and fans came to appreciate his persistence and reliability.

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Philadelphia Baseball Events for February 27

• 1883 – The Philadelphia Quakers, the franchise that would become the Phillies, were actively organizing their inaugural National League roster and preparing for their first official season of competition later that year.
• 2009 – The Philadelphia Phillies released right-handed pitcher Adam Eaton. Eaton had signed a three-year $24.5-million contract with Philadelphia prior to the 2007 season but struggled on the mound — a 6.10 ERA over the first two seasons — and the Phillies remained responsible for approximately $9-million. Eaton signed a minor league deal with Baltimore and made eight starts before being released and working as a reliever with Colorado in what would be his final MLB season.

MLB Events for February 27

• 1989 – Washington State University first baseman John Olerud undergoes brain surgery for the removal of an aneurysm. The left-handed first baseman had collapsed on January 11th after a workout. As a result of the aneurysm, he will wear a helmet at all times while on the playing field. Olerud will go on to enjoy a successful 17-season major league career with the Blue Jays, Mets, Mariners, Yankees and Red Sox, winning a batting title in 1993 and two All-Star berths.
• 2018 – The MLBPA files a grievance against four teams – the Marlins, Rays, Pirates and A’s – accusing them of not investing the money they are obtaining through revenue sharing in the on-field product, as is specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This action is the latest salvo in a war of words between players and ownership that was started by the slow free agent market, resulting in over 100 players still being unsigned when spring training opened two weeks ago.

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 27

• Walter Moser (born 1881) – Started his MLB career with the Phillies in 1906 and made four starts and two relief appearances with a 3.59 ERA. Later pitched for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns.
• Rube Melton (born 1917) – Pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1941 and 1942 and later pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers. His major league career was interrupted by World War II, causing him to miss the 1945 season.
• Connie Ryan (born 1920) – Infielder who was acquired from the Reds in December of 1951 and played all 154 games for the Phillies in 1952. He was released during the 1953 season and signed with the Chicago White Sox.
• John Wockenfuss (born 1949) – Versatile player who played 10 seasons with Detroit prior to being dealt to Philadelphia along with outfielder Glenn Wilson. Spent two seasons in Philly and was a career .262 hitter. In his career he served as a catcher, first baseman, third baseman, left fielder, and right fielder.
• Cliff Politte (born 1974) – Right-handed relief pitcher who spent three-plus seasons with the Phillies before being traded to Toronto for Dan Plesac.
• Adam Morgan (born 1990) – Left-handed pitcher drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Morgan spent six seasons with the Phillies, making his debut in 2015. His career was slowed by elbow (flexor tendon strain) and shoulder (torn rotator cuff) injuries, both of which required surgeries.

Hall of Famers Born on February 27

• Hilton Smith (born 1907) – A six-time Negro League All-Star who led the league in Innings Pitched (4 times), Strikeouts (4 times), Games Pitched (3 times), Saves (3 times), Shutouts (3 times), and Complete Games (2 times). Also won a Negro League World Series championship with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1942 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.