The Main Event

  • May 4, 2000 – Doug Glanville leads off a game against Cincinnati with a double, then goes on to rap four more hits. The three batters who followed Glanville in the first also doubled, tying a major league record for consecutive doubles. The Phillies won the game 14-1 and moved their record to 9-18.

Early Career and Time Before Philadelphia

Doug Glanville was born in Philadelphia and grew up in the area. Even as a young man, Glanville showed a natural aptitude for baseball. Glanville went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he played baseball for the Quakers and stood out as a strong athlete with both speed and defensive prowess. His performance at Penn, where he earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors, helped raise his profile and ultimately led to him being drafted in the first round of the 1991 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs.

He began his professional career in the Cubs’ minor league system, working his way up through the ranks with impressive performances that earned him a call-up to the major leagues in 1996. During his time with the Cubs, Glanville’s speed and strong defensive skills made him an intriguing player. He played primarily as an outfielder and showed great promise. Over the next few years, he became a solid contributor to the Cubs’ lineup, known for his ability to get on base and steal bases, though he was often overshadowed by bigger names in Chicago.

Trade to the Phillies

In December 1997, Doug Glanville’s career took a major turn. The Cubs traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Kevin Jordan, along with minor league pitchers Aaron Myette and Tyler Houston. This trade marked a new chapter in Glanville’s career and brought him closer to home. As a native of Philadelphia, joining the Phillies was a dream come true for Glanville, who had grown up watching the team.

The trade was a part of the Phillies’ rebuilding efforts under then-general manager Ed Wade, as they sought to bring in players who could help the team become more competitive in the National League East. Glanville, a solid center fielder with a good batting eye and excellent speed, was seen as a player who could make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball for the Phillies.

Time with the Phillies

Glanville quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Phillies’ lineup. He became a fixture in the outfield, winning the starting job in center field, where his range and quickness allowed him to cover a lot of ground. His time with the Phillies spanned from 1998 through 2003, and during that period, he played in the heart of the lineup for several seasons.

Throughout his time in Philadelphia, Glanville showed the fans what he was capable of with both the bat and the glove. He was known for his ability to get on base, utilizing his speed to leg out singles and occasionally stretch hits into doubles or triples. In 840 games with the Phillies, he hit .276/.315/.382/.697, and he had a knack for making contact, which helped keep him in the lineup as an everyday player.

Glanville’s most productive season with the Phillies came in 1999, when he posted a .325 batting average with 34 stolen bases in 36 attempts. His defensive abilities also continued to be a major strength. He earned a reputation as one of the better outfielders in the league, with great range and an accurate arm. The fans in Philadelphia came to appreciate his all-around game and blue-collar work ethic.

However, as with any professional athlete, the demands of the game began to take their toll on Glanville. His time with the Phillies ended after the 2002 season, when he left for the Texas Rangers as a free agent. Although he had some strong years in Philadelphia, injuries and the changing dynamics of the Phillies roster led to his departure.

He was dealt from the Rangers back to Chicago during the 2003 season and again became a free agent. After getting to spend time in Chicago, Glanville then decided to come home to Philadelphia where he played his final season in the majors in 2004.

Post-Playing Career and Broadcasting

After his playing days ended, Doug Glanville didn’t stray too far from baseball. He soon transitioned into a career in broadcasting, leveraging his deep knowledge of the game and natural communication skills. Glanville became a respected baseball analyst and commentator, known for his thoughtful insights and intelligent analysis of the game. He joined ESPN as a baseball analyst and contributed to both television and radio broadcasts, covering major events such as the MLB playoffs and World Series.

Glanville’s work as a broadcaster also saw him appear on various other platforms, including writing for publications and speaking at events. His ability to break down the intricacies of the game made him a valuable addition to any baseball coverage. Glanville has also been involved in charitable work and community service, remaining a prominent figure in the baseball world long after his playing career ended.

In addition to his role with ESPN, Glanville has become known for his work in writing, particularly for The Atlantic, where he has penned thoughtful essays on race, culture, and his experiences as a former African American professional athlete. His willingness to engage in larger conversations beyond the sport has earned him respect as a well-rounded figure in the media.

Glanville’s writing work can also be found on Substack, along with our other online entity, PBN Extra Innings.

Throughout his career, both on the field and in the broadcast booth, Doug Glanville has shown that his love for baseball is matched only by his ability to contribute to the game in meaningful ways. Whether as a player for the Phillies or as an insightful broadcaster, Glanville has left a lasting impression on both the sport and the community.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for May 4

  • May 4, 1954 – A four-run 11th gave the Phillies a hard-fought win in St. Louis. The game, which lasted four and a half hours, broke major-league records for number of players (42) and pitchers (15) used by both clubs.
  • May 4, 1961 – Traded Turk Farrell and Joe Koppe to Los Angeles for Don Demeter and Charley Smith. Farrell had been an all-star with the Phillies in 1958 and would go on to play in four more all-star games. He spent most of his career with Houston before being sold back to the Phillies in 1967 and finishing his career with them in 1969.
  • May 4, 1964 – After being hit by a pitch from Jack Baldschun, Bob Gibson is ejected for throwing his bat, which Baldschun caught with his gloved hand. The Phils, trailing 5-1 did no better against Roger Craig and lose 9-2.
  • May 4, 1973 – Denny Doyle tripled and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the 20th inning as the Phils beat Atlanta 5-4, tying the team record for longest home game.
  • May 4, 1975 – Traded Willie Montanez to San Francisco for Garry Maddox.
  • May 4, 1986 – Signed minor-league free agent Andy Ashby, who would have two stints with the Phillies and post a 6-15 record and a 6.14 ERA.
  • May 4, 2001 – Bruce Chen gives up a two-run home run to Barry Bonds in a loss to visiting San Francisco. It’s Bonds’ only home run at the Vet during his record-setting 73 home run season.

ICYMI

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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for May 4

  • Frank Bruggy (born 1891) – Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Bruggy was a catcher who played for the Phillies in 1921 and then played three seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics. He finished his career with six games for the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1925. He hit .310 in his one season with the Phillies and .252 in his time with the Athletics.
  • Fred Andrews (born 1952) – An infielder, Andrews played four games with the 1976 Phillies and 12 with the 1977 Phillies. Those seasons were the entirety of his MLB career and he hit a combined .276 in the 16 games.
  • Miguel Cairo (born 1974) – An infielder who played in 27 games with the 2009 Phillies. Overall, he played 17 major league seasons and is currently the infield coach for the Baltimore Orioles. His son, Christian Cairo, is on the Phillies 40-man roster and is hitting .291/.440/.382/.822 in 33 games with Lehigh Valley.
  • Jason Michaels (born 1976) – An outfielder who was drafted four different times, including by the Phillies in the eighth round of the 1998 Draft out of the University of Miami. Known for his hard-nosed style of play, Michaels spent 11 seasons in the majors, including five in Philadelphia. With the Phillies he hit 21 home runs and drove in 100 runs with a slash line of .291/.380/.442/.882.

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