The Main Event

Omar Daal (born 1972) Venezuelan-born pitcher who played parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks with Nelson Figueroa, Travis Lee and Vicente Padilla for Curt Schilling.

Curt Schilling Trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks

In the summer of 2000, one of the most talked about moments in Philadelphia Phillies history unfolded when the team traded Curt Schilling to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Schilling had been the Phillies’ ace for much of the 1990s and was the face of their rotation. He had anchored a staff that helped the Phillies reach the World Series in 1993, and he’d earned multiple All-Star selections and Cy Young Award consideration during his time in Philadelphia. As the 2000 season wore on, however, the Phillies were mired in another losing campaign and Schilling grew increasingly frustrated with the franchise’s direction. He made it clear publicly and privately that he wanted to be dealt to a contender, and that pressure eventually forced the club’s hand. With his no-trade clause giving him control over his destination, the list of acceptable teams dwindled until only a few viable suitors remained, with Arizona ultimately emerging as the destination of choice for Schilling and the only realistic trade partner for the Phillies. The environment in Philadelphia at the time — a team without meaningful payroll commitments and stuck in the National League East basement — left the front office with limited leverage, and they agreed to send Schilling to Arizona on July 26, 2000 for a four-player package. The deal was intended to help the rebuilding Phillies restock talent for the future while giving Schilling the chance to pitch for a team in playoff contention.

The New Phillies

The centerpiece of the return was first baseman Travis Lee, a big league regular whose power bat the Phillies hoped would help bolster their offense. Lee went on to play three seasons in Philadelphia. In his first full year in 2001 he appeared in nearly every game, posted 20 home runs and 90 runs batted in, and helped the club post an 86-76 record, two games out of first place in the National League East. His numbers dipped in 2002, and after that season the Phillies released him, allowing him to sign elsewhere as a free agent. While Lee provided steady production and durability at first base, he never developed into a star.

Pitcher Omar Daal was another part of the package, arriving in Philadelphia with some previous big league experience. Daal showed flashes of effectiveness early with the Phillies, particularly in 2001 when he started 31 games and compiled 13 wins, but he was inconsistent. After a season and a half in Philadelphia, his stay came to an end when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Daal’s time with the Phillies was short and, while serviceable at times, it was not the long-term answer the club hoped for when acquiring him in the Schilling deal.

Nelson Figueroa was included in the trade as a young pitcher with upside. He spent part of the 2001 season with the Phillies, appearing both as a starter and reliever, and posted average results. His tenure in Philadelphia was brief, and he eventually departed via waivers. Figueroa continued a journeyman career in the majors, returning to the Phillies briefly later and pitching for other teams before playing internationally. His time in Philadelphia made only a small impact on the team’s fortunes.

The most successful player the Phillies received in the Schilling trade was pitcher Vicente Padilla. Originally a reliever, Padilla was shifted into the rotation once he got to Philadelphia and became a mainstay on the staff for several seasons. He produced quality innings for the club, earning an All-Star selection in 2002 and giving the Phillies reliable starting pitching from 2001 through 2005. Padilla’s tenure was marked by competitiveness and flashes of dominance. After leaving Philadelphia, he continued his career with other teams, including time in the American League and in international leagues, before retiring.

On To Arizona

As for Curt Schilling himself, moving to Arizona allowed him to elevate his career to new heights. In the following season, 2001, Schilling teamed with Randy Johnson to form one of the most formidable pitching duos in baseball. He won 22 games with a sub-3.00 ERA, helped the Diamondbacks capture their first World Series title, and was co-MVP of that Fall Classic. He finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting twice and cemented his reputation as one of the premier pitchers of his era. After his run in Arizona, Schilling was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he helped that franchise win two more World Series championships. The trade, while understandable from the Phillies’ perspective given the circumstances at the time, is often remembered as a lopsided deal because of how much success Schilling enjoyed after leaving Philadelphia compared with the modest returns the club received in the players who came back.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for March 1

  • 1889 – The Philadelphia Phillies departed for spring training in Jacksonville, Florida, making them the first team to hold spring training in the Sunshine State.
  • 1919 – The Philadelphia Athletics made a notable roster move when they traded third baseman Larry Gardner, outfielder Charlie Jamieson, and pitcher Elmer Myers to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for outfielder Braggo Roth, part of Connie Mack’s efforts to retool the A’s.
  • 1965 – Jim Bunning and Bo Belinsky appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
  • 1972 – The Philadelphia Phillies released infielder Ruben Amaro (not to be confused with later executive Ruben Amaro Jr.), ending his MLB career. Amaro had been released by the California Angels in October, 1969 and spent the 1970 and 1971 seasons in the Phillies minor league system prior to being released.

MLB Events for March 1

  • 1954 – Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams fractures his collarbone on the first day of spring training. The injury occurs as Williams dives for a ball hit by teammate Hoot Evers. As a result, the injury will force Williams to miss Opening Day and will keep him out of Boston lineup until May 15th.
  • 1965 – Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente misses the first day of spring training because of a bout with malaria. The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder will sit out a full month of training camp with the disease, which he contracted during the off-season. Clemente will recover to bat .329, but will hit only 10 home runs with 65 RBI, his worst totals since 1959.

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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for March 1

  • Nick Strincevich (born 1915) Right-handed pitcher who appeared in the major leagues from 1940–1948 and finished his big-league career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1948.
  • Ike Pearson (born 1917) Right-handed pitcher who spent parts of five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1939–1942, 1946). Missed the 1943-1945 seasons to serve in the military.
  • Howie Fox (born 1921) Right-handed pitcher who played in the major leagues from 1944–1954, including a stint with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1952 season, contributing as a starter and reliever.