The Main Event
April 15: 1977 – The Expos host the Phillies in the first major-league game in Olympic Stadium. The Phils won 7-2, with Steve Carlton earning a complete-game win.
When the Philadelphia Phillies first played at Olympic Stadium, it marked the beginning of a very different kind of road experience. The stadium officially became the home of the Montreal Expos in 1977, and the Phillies were part of that early chapter.
The first games there didn’t feel like traditional baseball. The massive concrete structure, the unfinished roof, and the artificial turf created an unfamiliar environment. Balls carried differently, the lighting could be tricky, and the atmosphere felt more like an event space than a ballpark. For the Phillies, those early trips were about adjustment as much as competition.
Schmidt Sends the Phillies to the Postseason
The most iconic Phillies moment at Olympic Stadium came in 1980, when Mike Schmidt delivered one of the biggest swings in franchise history.
In the final series of the season, the Phillies needed a win to clinch the National League East. Facing the Expos in Montreal, the stakes could not have been higher. In that decisive game, Schmidt launched a home run that secured the division title for Philadelphia and silenced the home crowd.
It was a crushing blow for Montreal and a defining moment for the Phillies. Winning a division on the road is always memorable, but doing it in a hostile environment, against a direct rival, gave it extra weight. Schmidt’s home run became one of those lasting images tied to Olympic Stadium, a reminder of how October dreams can swing on a single pitch.
Big Performances in a Unique Setting
Olympic Stadium produced its share of memorable performances for the Phillies over the years. The artificial turf and expansive outfield often led to high-scoring games, and Philadelphia hitters occasionally took full advantage.
Players had to adapt quickly. The ball could skip through the infield faster than expected, and outfielders had to deal with odd angles and caroms. Pitchers who relied on movement sometimes thrived in the indoor conditions, while others struggled to keep the ball in the park.
There were also moments when the environment itself became part of the story. The stadium’s roof, which was eventually installed years after the building opened, was notorious for issues. Games were sometimes played with it open, sometimes closed, and occasionally with delays that added to the unpredictability. For the Phillies, every trip to Montreal came with a bit of the unexpected.
Spoiler Roles and Late-Season Drama
Beyond the 1981 clincher, the Phillies were often part of meaningful late-season games in Montreal. Even in years when they were not contending, they played a role in shaping the National League race.
There were instances where Philadelphia wins at Olympic Stadium damaged the Expos’ playoff hopes, adding another layer to the rivalry. Montreal fans, when the team was in contention, brought energy that filled the cavernous building and made it feel much smaller than it actually was.
Those games carried a playoff-like intensity, and the Phillies were right in the middle of it more than once.
The Final Chapter in Montreal
The Phillies’ last game at Olympic Stadium came during the 2004 season, as the Expos prepared to relocate. By then, the building felt more like a relic than a centerpiece of the league.
Attendance was sparse, and the energy was far removed from the high-stakes games of the past. Still, there was a sense of history in the moment. Decades of Phillies baseball had passed through that stadium, from Schmidt’s defining swing to countless regular-season battles.
Philadelphia closed out its time in Montreal with a win, a quiet but fitting ending. It wasn’t dramatic like the moments that came before, but it marked the end of an era.
Looking back, Olympic Stadium was never a typical baseball venue, and that is exactly why it stands out. For the Phillies, it was a place of milestones, rivalry, and memorable swings that still echo in franchise history.
Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 15
- April 15, 1918 – The American League season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit, 7 – 1, victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. Boston Red Sox manager Ed Barrow will start Ruth’s conversion to slugger later that season by working him into 72 games in the outfield and at first base.
- April 15, 1930 – Les Sweetland single-handedly beats the Dodgers on opening day, pitching a three-hit shutout, hitting a double, and scoring the game’s only run.
- April 15, 1985 – Mike Schmidt appears in his 1975th game as a Phillie, setting a new team record. The previous record was held by Richie Ashburn. Schmidt eventually reached a total of 2404 games.
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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 15
- Bill Gray (born 1871) – Born in Philadelphia, Gray played for the Phillies in 1890 and 1891. The right-handed hitting infielder/catcher played in 57 games with a .241/.291/.320/.611 slash line.
- Ed Abbaticchio (born 1877) – Born in Latrobe, PA, Abbaticchio played for the 1897 and 1898 Phillies as a second and third baseman. He played in just 28 games with the Phillies but went on to play in 332 games with Pittsburgh and 495 with the Boston Nationals in a nine-year MLB career.
- Ted Sizemore (born 1945) – Acquired from the Dodgers in 1977, the middle infielder spent two seasons with Philadelphia and hit .256. He had a 12-year MLB career with St. Louis, the Dodgers, Philadelphia, the Cubs, and Boston.
- Billy Brewer (born 1968) – No, not the guy who goes down the big slide at Brewers’ games. This Billy Brewer was released by Oakland during the 1997 season and signed with the Phillies. He pitched in 52 games at the major league level over three seasons with a 6.00 ERA.
- Ricky Otero (born 1972) – Played two of his three MLB seasons with the Phillies. The outfielder hit .267/.332/.340/.672 in 154 games with the Phillies.
- Michael Mercado (born 1999) – Phillies minor league pitcher who has pitched 16 innings over the past two seasons with the Phillies. He is currently on the IL with Lehigh Valley but started a rehab stint with Clearwater this week.
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You are correct. Thanks for noting that!
I believe Schmidt hit his home run in 1980.