The Main Event
- May 9, 1973 – Johnny Bench hit three home runs off of Steve Carlton in a 9-7 Reds victory, driving in seven runs. It’s the second time Bench hit three homers off of Carlton in a game, but the first against the Phillies.
The Dominant Pitchers of the Early 1970s
The early 1970s were a golden era for pitching, and the Philadelphia Phillies were often on the receiving end of some of the most fearsome arms in baseball. Steve Carlton, of course, stands out not just for his tenure with the Phillies but for how he embodied the strikeout-heavy, power-pitching style that defined the era. Carlton was coming into his prime during the early 1970s, consistently posting high strikeout totals and keeping opposing hitters off balance with a mix of fastballs and devastating sliders. Facing Carlton, even the best hitters could struggle, but one who didn’t was Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds. Twice in his career, Bench had a three home run game against Carlton. The first came while Carlton was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and then again 53 years ago today when Bench famously hit three home runs off him in a 9-7 Reds win.
Other pitchers of the early 1970s who made life difficult for the Phillies included Tom Seaver of the Mets and Nolan Ryan, who spent 1970 and 1971 with the New York Mets before becoming an Angel. Seaver, known as “Tom Terrific,” combined pinpoint control with overpowering velocity, making him a nightmare in the National League East. Nolan Ryan, still in the early stages of his legendary strikeout career, brought a fastball that could top 100 mph and an intimidating presence on the mound. Phillies hitters were forced to adjust constantly when facing these arms, and games often became battles of patience and strategy rather than free-swinging affairs. A series against the Mets was never easy when you had to face those two pitchers.
Other pitchers like Bob Gibson (St. Louis), Ferguson Jenkins (Cubs), Gaylord Perry (San Francisco), and Don Sutton (Los Angeles) patrolled the mounds of the National League. Hitters rejoiced when both Ryan and Perry wound up in the American League in the pre-interleague play era.
Phillies Hitters in a Competitive Era
On the offensive side, the Phillies had stars of their own, including Greg Luzinski, Mike Schmidt in his early years, and Dick Allen. Luzinski brought a blend of power and patience, regularly challenging some of the best pitchers in baseball. Schmidt, who debuted in 1972, started slowly before showing his talent against pitchers like Seaver and Gibson, foreshadowing the Hall of Fame career that would follow. Dick Allen was a force of nature, capable of changing the outcome of a game with a single swing. His battles with the elite pitchers of the early 1970s were memorable, with Allen often holding his own against the best the ’70s had to offer, even if the Phillies as a team didn’t always come out on top.
Pitchers of the ’70s had to face greats like Steve Garvey (Los Angeles), Ted Simmons (St. Louis), and Billy Williams (Cubs). Add to that the “Big Red Machine” in Cincinnati and the “We Are Family” Pirates and there was plenty of offense in one of the greatest eras baseball has to offer.
Clashes That Defined the Era
The early 1970s were marked by intense matchups that showcased the talents of both pitchers and hitters. Phillies fans saw their team face some of the best arms in the game. At the same time, they witnessed their own stars make a name for themselves by taking on legends in thrilling, high-stakes encounters. The interplay between pitching dominance and hitting prowess defined the decade, and the Phillies’ matchups provided a front-row seat to some of the most memorable moments of early 1970s baseball.
Looking back, the era stands out not just for individual talent but for the excitement of watching greats compete directly. Phillies hitters like Luzinski, Allen, and young Schmidt tested themselves against pitchers who would become legends, while their own performances against sluggers like Bench added to the narrative of a fiercely competitive period in National League history. The 1973 Bench-Carlton game remains an iconic snapshot of this dynamic, a moment where power and precision collided on the field and reminded everyone why this era is still celebrated by baseball fans today.
The early 1970s were a time of legendary clashes, and the Phillies, both pitching and hitting, were central to many of the stories that made the decade unforgettable.
Philadelphia Baseball Events of May 9
- May 9, 1947 – Purchased Ken Heintzelman from Pittsburgh. Heintzelman had played eight seasons with Pittsburgh and served in the military from 1943-1945. He would finish his career with the Phillies after six seasons with a mark of 40-55, 3.75 with 97 starts and 68 relief appearances as a Phillie.
- May 9, 1962 – Traded Cal Neeman to Pittsburgh for cash. Neeman, a catcher, played 78 games with the Phillies over two seasons, hitting .188/.271/.309/.580.
- May 9, 1986 – Released pitcher Dave Stewart. The Phillies had acquired Stewart from Texas the previous September for Rich Surhoff. Stewart made just 12 relief appearances with the Phillies and posted a 6.48 ERA. Stewart would go on to be a player agent and a GM in the majors. He is currently a driving force trying to bring an expansion team to Nashville.
- May 9, 1992 – Dale Murphy hits a solo home run as the Phils lose to San Diego, 5-1. It’s his 398th and final major league home run.
- May 9, 1993 – Mariano Duncan‘s grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth earned the Phils a 6-5 Mothers’ Day win over St. Louis.
- May 9, 2001 – In the sixth inning of a game in Houston, Jimmy Rollins steals second, starting a team-record streak of 35 straight steals without getting caught.
- May 9, 2013 – Charlie Manuel manages his 1,332nd game at the helm of the Phillies, passing Gene Mauch for most games managed in team history. Unfortunately, it was a 2-1 loss to Arizona.
ICYMI
- Philly Baseball News – Binelas, Wood Honored by Phillies
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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for May 9
- Mickey Devine (born 1892) – Played just 33 games in the majors, the first four of which were with the Phillies. A lifetime .226 hitter in the majors.
- George Durning (born 1898) – Born in Philadelphia, Durning played five games with the 1925 Phillies and hit .357 (5-for-14) with three runs scored and one RBI. 1925 would be his only season in the majors.
- Aaron Hurang (born 1978) – Played his 14th and final season in the majors with the Phillies. He went 6-15, 4.86 in 29 starts in 2015. In his career, Harang pitched for eight different teams with a career 128-143, 4.26 ERA.
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