May 10: What Larry Bowa and Hank Aaron Have in Common

The Main Event

• May 10, 1967 – Hank Aaron hits an inside-the-park home run off of Jim Bunning, the only inside-the-parker in Aaron’s career.
• May 10, 1980 – Larry Bowa legs out an inside-the-park home run at Riverfront Stadium — the only one Tom Seaver gave up in his career. It’s not enough, as the Phillies fall to Cincinnati 5-3.

Hank Aaron’s Inside-the-Park Home Run, May 10, 1967

On May 10, 1967, Hank Aaron pulled off a feat that would stand alone in his legendary career: his only inside-the-park home run. The Atlanta Braves were facing the Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, and Aaron was in the midst of another spectacular season. The pitcher on the mound for the Phillies was the formidable Jim Bunning, a future Hall of Famer known for his precise fastball and intimidating presence. Bunning was not easily rattled, which makes Aaron’s inside-the-park homer even more remarkable.

The play itself unfolded with a sense of urgency and perfect timing. Aaron smashed a line drive into the deep right-center field gap, and it ricocheted off the outfield wall in a way that caught the Phillies defenders off guard. Aaron, known for his combination of speed and baseball intelligence, sprinted hard from the moment he made contact, rounding the bases with that smooth, controlled power that made him one of the most feared hitters of his era. While inside-the-park home runs were more common in earlier eras of baseball, by 1967 they were a rarity, and for a player of Aaron’s power, it was even more unusual.

Atlanta went on to win the game, and while the inside-the-park home run was a highlight, it also showcased Aaron’s unique combination of strength, speed, awareness, and constant hustle. Teammates and fans alike recognized the rarity of the achievement, and it became a story retold whenever Aaron’s career milestones were discussed. Even in a career filled with 755 home runs, this inside-the-park blast stood apart because it required a different kind of skill—a perfect blend of timing, baserunning, and quick reflexes.

Larry Bowa’s Inside-the-Park Home Run, May 10, 1980

Thirteen years later, on May 10, 1980, another rare inside-the-park home run occurred, this time at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. The Philadelphia Phillies were taking on the Reds, and Larry Bowa, a gritty shortstop known more for his defensive skills than power at the plate, found himself legging out a home run against Tom Seaver. Seaver, a Hall of Fame pitcher, was renowned for his dominance, and this would turn out to be the only inside-the-park home run he ever allowed in his career.

Bowa’s hit was not just a product of speed; it was also a perfectly placed shot that took advantage of the Reds’ defensive alignment. The ball bounced unpredictably in the outfield, giving Bowa the opening he needed to hustle all the way around the bases. Despite Bowa’s remarkable effort, the Phillies could not turn the moment into a win. They ultimately fell to the Reds 5-3, highlighting the bittersweet nature of the accomplishment. The inside-the-park home run became a footnote in a tough loss, but it remained a standout moment for Bowa, demonstrating his determination and scrappy style of play.

Comparing the Two Inside-the-Park Home Runs

Both of these inside-the-park home runs are remarkable for their rarity, but they occurred in very different contexts. Hank Aaron was a feared power hitter turning a line drive into a highlight-reel run, while Larry Bowa, not typically known for his power, relied on speed, hustle, and opportunity to circle the bases. Aaron’s homer came against a future Hall of Fame pitcher in Bunning, in a game the Braves ultimately won, which made it a celebratory highlight. Bowa’s run came against another Hall of Fame pitcher, Seaver, but it occurred in a losing effort, giving it a different, more bittersweet flavor.

Both events illustrate how inside-the-park home runs require more than just power. They demand keen awareness of the field, intelligent baserunning, and a little bit of luck. In Aaron’s case, his skill turned a routine hit into something extraordinary, while Bowa’s speed and tenacity transformed a well-placed ball into a career moment. Interestingly, each homer remains unique in the pitchers’ careers: Bunning gave up only one, and Seaver also yielded just this one inside-the-park home run, cementing the special nature of these games in baseball history.

Legacy of the May 10 Inside-the-Park Homers

These two inside-the-park home runs stand as testaments to the unpredictable excitement of baseball. For Hank Aaron, it was another layer to an already monumental career, showing that even a power hitter could dazzle in ways fans did not expect. For Larry Bowa, it was a personal triumph in the midst of a tough season, highlighting his relentless effort and commitment to the game. Both events are reminders that baseball history is full of singular moments that, while fleeting, leave a lasting impression on fans, players, and the record books alike. These May 10 homers, thirteen years apart, remain snapshots of skill, speed, and the magic of baseball.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for May 10

• May 10, 1895 – During the course of a 14 – 4 win over St. Louis, Philadelphia slugger Sam Thompson, who was later elected to the Hall of Fame, becomes the third man in National League history to hit 100 home runs in a career.
• May 10, 1910 – Purchased Pat Moran from the Chicago Cubs. Moran played five seasons with the Boston Nationals prior to going to the Cubs where he played four seasons. He would finish his career with the Phillies, playing 117 games with them over five seasons. He played in just one game in both 1913 and 1914 and hit .210 with the Phillies.
• May 10, 1939 – Phillies back up catcher Dave Coble caught a baseball dropped from the tower atop City Hall — 521 feet up. Coble and three teammates missed eight balls dropped from the tower before Coble snagged the ninth.
• May 10, 1947 – Purchased Howie Schultz from Brooklyn. The first baseman played 120 games with the Phillies – 114 in 1947 and six in 1948 – prior to being claimed off waivers by Cincinnati.
• May 10, 1957 – Traded Glen Gorbous to St. Louis for Chuck Harmon. Gorbous played 109 over three seasons with the Phillies, but never did play in the majors for the Cardinals. Harmon hit .256 in 57 games with the Phillies in 1957, which was his last season in the majors.
• May 10, 1959 – The game between the Pirates and Phils is suspended after pitcher Jim Hearn had given up two runs. The game is completed in July, and Hearn takes the loss even though he had been released and retired.

ICYMI

• PBN Extra Innings – The Saturday Six: Six Minor Leaguers Ready for Promotions (subscription req’d.)

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for May 10

• Chippy McGarr (Born 1863) – Born in Worcester, MA, McGarr played in Philadelphia in 1886 and 1887 with the Athletics. In nine seasons he hit nine home runs and drove in 388 runs, with a slash line of .269/.311/.330/.641.
• Klondike Douglass (Born 1872) – A catcher, first baseman, and outfielder, Douglass played nine MLB seasons, seven of them with the Phillies. With the Phillies, Douglass hit .261/.317/.320/.637, but after two big seasons with St. Louis, he raised his numbers to .274/.337/.335/.672.
• Gene Connell (Born 1906) – Born in Hazleton, PA, Connell was a right-handed hitting catcher who played in just six MLB games with the 1931 Phillies. In those six games he hit .250/.250/.250/.500. Defensively, he was charged with two passed balls, but he did throw out the only runner who attempted to steal against him.
• Bob Bowman (Born 1931) – A right fielder and pinch-hitter, Bowman spent all five of his major league seasons with the Phillies. In 256 games he hit .24/.317/.403/.720.

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