The Main Event
- April 17, 1964 – The Phillies beat the Cubs 10-8 at wind-blown Wrigley Field. The teams tied a major league record by hitting five home runs in an inning (the fifth).
- April 17, 1976 – Mike Schmidt goes 5-for-6 with four homers and eight RBI in an 18-16, 10-inning victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He hit two homers off of Rick Reuschel, one off of his brother Paul, and one off of Mike Garman to tie a major league record for most home runs in an extra-inning game.
A Wind-Blown Power Surge in 1964
On April 17, 1964, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs turned Wrigley Field into a launching pad. With the wind howling out, what unfolded was less a typical early-season game and more a home run exhibition that felt almost surreal.
The Phillies came away with a 10-8 win, but the lasting memory was the fifth inning, when the two teams combined to tie a major league record by hitting five home runs in a single frame. It was the kind of inning where every deep fly ball seemed destined to leave the yard.
Philadelphia got the barrage started behind Art Mahaffey, who was doing double duty as both the starting pitcher and a contributor at the plate. Dick Allen, still early in what would become a standout career, added his own blast. Veteran Roy Sievers followed, giving the Phillies three home runs in the inning and turning the game into a slugfest.
The Cubs answered right back. Lou Brock and Billy Williams, two of Chicago’s most dynamic hitters, each connected to keep pace. In a matter of minutes, the game had swung wildly, with both teams trading punches and the scoreboard operator struggling to keep up.
It was a perfect storm of conditions and timing. Wrigley Field has always been known for its unpredictable winds, and on that day, pitchers had little margin for error. Even well-located pitches could be carried out, and both teams took advantage.
Despite the chaos, the Phillies managed to hold on. Their ability to capitalize during that explosive inning proved to be the difference in a game that could have gone either way. It was one of those afternoons where the environment shaped the outcome as much as the players themselves.
Schmidt’s Historic Night in 1976
Twelve years later, on April 17, 1976, the Phillies and Cubs met again at Wrigley Field and somehow produced an even more unforgettable game. This time, it was Mike Schmidt who stole the show in an 18-16 Phillies victory that stretched into 10 innings.
Schmidt delivered one of the greatest single-game performances in baseball history, going 5-for-6 with four home runs and eight runs batted in. Every time he stepped to the plate, it felt like something historic might happen, and more often than not, it did.
He began his home run barrage against Rick Reuschel, taking the Cubs starter deep twice. He later connected off Rick’s brother, Paul Reuschel, adding a unique twist to an already remarkable performance. Schmidt’s fourth home run came against reliever Mike Garman, tying a major league record for home runs in an extra-inning game.
What made Schmidt’s night even more incredible was the context around it. This was not a quiet game where one player dominated while everything else remained steady. It was complete chaos from start to finish.
The Phillies’ starter, Steve Carlton, struggled mightily, allowing seven earned runs in just 1.2 innings. The Cubs built an early lead, and the game quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle where no advantage felt safe.
Runs piled up on both sides as the game wore on. The Phillies kept fighting back, fueled in large part by Schmidt’s power display. Each home run seemed to shift momentum, keeping Philadelphia within striking distance until they could finally pull ahead.
By the time the game reached extra innings, both teams had exhausted pitching options and were relying on whatever they had left. Schmidt’s fourth home run provided one of the defining moments, and the Phillies ultimately outlasted the Cubs in a game that felt more like a marathon than a typical contest.
Even by Wrigley Field standards, where offense can spike under the right conditions, this game stood out. The combination of high scoring, dramatic swings, and individual brilliance made it one for the ages.
Together, these two April 17 games form a unique chapter in Phillies history. Both were shaped by the quirks of Wrigley Field, both featured offensive explosions, and both left a lasting mark. Whether it was a record-tying inning in 1964 or a legendary performance by Schmidt in 1976, the Phillies’ trips to Chicago on that date produced moments that still resonate decades later.
Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 17
- April 17, 1923 – In the longest National League opener to date, the Brooklyn Robins and Philadelphia Phillies battle to a 14-inning, 5 – 5 tie. Dutch Ruether, who beat the Phillies seven straight in 1922, goes the distance.
- April 17, 1951 – The Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators play the first home Opening Day night game in American League history. Washington wins, 6 – 1, behind the solid pitching of 40-year-old Connie Marrero as his batterymate Mickey Grasso hits a home run.
- April 17, 1969 – Bill Stoneman of Montreal pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the 9th game of the Expos’ existence. (The Phillies are infamous for being no-hit early in a season.)
- April 17, 1979 – Garry Maddox gets a hit in the second inning and follows with another hit in each of the next three innings, a team record. The Phils beat Pittsburgh 13-2.
- April 17, 1996 – The Phils tie an NL record by recording 21 infield assists in a nine-inning game at Montreal — 9 by Kevin Stocker and 8 by Todd Ziele. The Phils won 9-3.
ICYMI
- Philly Baseball News – Bullpen Injuries are Impacting the Phillies
Sign up for a free subscription and get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Or, sign up for a paid subscription ($5 per month/$45 per year) and get deeper coverage of the Phillies and the Minor League affiliates. And it all comes with a 7-Day Free Trial.
Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 17
- Charlie Ferguson (born 1863) – Played for the Quakers/Phillies from 1884-1887 primarily as a pitcher but did play at second and third base in 1887. He won 20 or more games in each of his four seasons. Unfortunately, he passed away from typhoid fever in 1888.
- Eddie Delker (born 1906) – An infielder who played in 56 games with the Phillies in 1932 and 1933 and hit .155.
- Bobby Stevens (born 1907) – Shortstop who played in 12 games with the 1931 Phillies and hit .343.
- Chuck Sheerin (born 1909) – Played in 39 games with the Phillies in 1936, hitting .264.
- Solly Hemus (born 1923) – Acquired from St. Louis during the 1956 season, the infielder played in 253 games with the Phillies over four seasons and hit .269.
- Gary Bennett (born 1972) – Started his career with the Phillies in 1995 and played for them through the 2000 seasons. Primarily a backup catcher, Bennett had a 13-year MLB career and played for eight different teams.
Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.
© 2026 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.
