May 16: Curt Simmons Helps and Hurts the Phillies

The Main Event

• May 16, 1952 – Before a game against Cincinnati, the Phils honored Curt Simmons with gifts including a car, a TV, a refrigerator, and a gold watch. Simmons had recently been discharged from the Army.
• May 16, 1953 – Curt Simmons gives up a leadoff single, then retires the next 27 batters to one-hit the Braves in a 3-0 victory at Milwaukee. He also strikes out 10 while walking none, the first Phillie to do so.

Curt Simmons was born on May 19, 1929, in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, just a short distance from where the Lehigh Valley IronPigs play today. Growing up near Philadelphia, baseball was in the air, and Simmons quickly showed the talent and passion that would carry him into the major leagues. His upbringing in the Lehigh Valley instilled in him a strong work ethic, and by the time he was a teenager, scouts were already taking notice of his pitching ability.

Like many players of his generation, Simmons’ career was briefly interrupted in 1951 by military service. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, a commitment that delayed his full-time entry into Major League Baseball. Despite the break, Simmons returned to the game ready to make an immediate impact. His combination of a smooth left-handed delivery and a fastball that could sneak by hitters quickly made him one of the top pitchers in the Phillies’ organization.

Simmons made his major league debut with the Phillies in 1947, and by the early 1950s, he had become one of the team’s most reliable starters. Over the years, he developed a reputation as a durable, consistent pitcher who could deliver both in the regular season and under pressure. Simmons spent the decade of the 1950s with Philadelphia, with the exception of his year of military service, anchoring a rotation that struggled at times but always counted on his presence on the mound.

On May 17, 1960 because of a combination of diminished effectiveness, long-term health issues, and the team’s move into a rebuilding phase, the Phillies released Simmons. Three days later, he signed with St. Louis in a move that would affect both Simmons’ career and the history of the Philadelphia Phillies.

1964: A Season of Contrasts

One of the more notable moments in Simmons’ career came in 1964, though not with the Phillies. That year, the Phillies were on the brink of winning the National League pennant, leading the league in late September, only to collapse in a historic losing streak that cost them the title. Simmons, by then pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, played a pivotal role in the pennant race from the other side. While not at his best, Simmons pitched eight innings to beat the Phillies 8-5 on September 30, 1964 to help their tailspin. That win was the 18th of the season for Simmons, who went 4-0 against the Phillies that season.

His steady pitching helped the Cardinals overtake the Phillies, securing a spot in the World Series. Simmons’ experience and poise were crucial for St. Louis during this tense stretch, showing that even after leaving Philadelphia, he remained a key figure in National League baseball.

During the 1964 World Series, Simmons continued to be an important contributor, bringing veteran presence and skill to the Cardinals’ pitching staff. Simmons made two starts in the World Series and pitched 14.1 innings, posting a 2.51 ERA, but going 0-1 for the Cardinals. While the series itself did not result in a championship for St. Louis, Simmons’ role in helping his team reach that stage underscored his long-standing ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

Career Highlights and Legacy

Beyond the 1964 season, Simmons went on to pitch three more years in the majors, including stints with the Cubs and California Angels. Over the course of his 20-year career, he earned a reputation for durability, finishing with 193 career wins and accumulating just under 1,700 strikeouts. If not for his year of military service, Simmons would have likely reached the 200 career win milestone and also surpassed 1,800 strikeouts in his career.

Simmons’ career is filled with memorable achievements. He was a two-time All-Star and was often noted for his smooth delivery and control on the mound. His longevity in the game, combined with his service to his country, made him an admired figure both on and off the field. In addition to his professional success, Simmons’ connection to the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia baseball scene made him a hometown hero. Fans in the region remember him not only for his accomplishments but also for his role in shaping the story of baseball in Pennsylvania.

Curt Simmons passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most dependable and respected left-handed pitchers of his era. From his early days near Philadelphia to his key contributions in the 1964 pennant race with the Cardinals, Simmons’ life and career reflect a combination of talent, dedication, and resilience that continues to resonate with baseball fans today.

Philadelphia Baseball Events of May 16

• May 16, 1953 – Traded catcher/first baseman Al Lakeman to Detroit for cash. Lakeman had been acquired from St. Louis in June of 1947 and hit 7-23-.160 in 87 games with the Phillies.
• May 16, 1958 – Harry Anderson hits a high fly ball that strikes a catwalk near the scoreboard at Connie Mack Stadium and bounces several times, allowing Anderson to circle the bases for an inside-the-park home run and pacing the Phils to a 6-2 win over the Pirates.
• May 16, 1959 – Traded Granny Hamner to Cleveland for Humberto Robinson. A middle infielder, Hamner played 16 of his 17 seasons with the Phillies and was a three-time all-star. He hit 103 home runs, drove in 705 runs and slashed .263/.305/.383/.686 in his 1,501 games in a Phillies uniform. (By the way, his full name was Granville Wilbur Hamner.)
• May 16, 1967 – Philadelphia voters approve $13 million in bonds to build what would be named Veterans Stadium, a new multi-purpose stadium in south Philadelphia. (PBN has more information on Veterans Stadium and the history of stadiums in Philadelphia.)
• May 16, 1967 – Released pitcher Bob Buhl, who may be best remembered as being part of the 1966 trade that sent Fergie Jenkins to the Chicago Cubs. He made 18 starts and 17 relief appearances with the Phillies and went 6-8, 4.93 in his time with the Phils.
• May 16, 1972 – Greg Luzinski hits a 500-foot home run off the center field Liberty Bell at Veterans’ Stadium in an 8-1 loss to Chicago.
• May 16, 1984 – Steve Carlton hits his only career grand slam off of Fernando Valenzuela as the Phils beat Los Angeles 7-2 at Dodger Stadium.
• May 16, 1987 – Pitcher Don Carman singles in the seventh inning — his first hit in 49 career at-bats. He also goes the distance on the mound with a complete-game, three-hit shutout. (Admit it, when you read this, you heard Harry Kalas saying “Don Carr-man”)
• May 16, 1989 – Juan Samuel leads off the game against the Giants with a home run, his fourth leadoff dinger of the season, setting a team record. The Phils lose the game 13-5.
• May 16, 2008 – Jayson Werth hits three home runs and drives in eight against Toronto, leading the Phillies to a 10-3 victory.
• May 16, 2015 – Bought the contract of Jayson Nix from Baltimore. Nix had a complicated relationship with the Phillies and other teams as he was a frequent name on the transaction wire. He originally signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay in January, 2014 and was then purchased by the Phillies in March of 2014. He was granted free agency May 13th and four days later signed back with Tampa Bay only to be released by the Rays on August 1. He signed with Pittsburgh August 3rd, was claimed off waivers by Kansas City on August 28th and then became a free agent in November. He signed with Baltimore in February of 2015, had his contract purchased by the Phillies on May 16, 2015, and was released on June 23rd. His last appearance in the majors was with Kansas City in 2024.

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for May 16

• Clarence Lehr (born 1886) – A utility player, Lehr played just 23 games in the majors, all of them with the Phillies in 1911, batting .148 for his “career.”
• George Jumonville (born 1917) – A middle infielder, like Lehr, Jumonville’s entire MLB career was spent with the Phillies in 1940 and 1941. He played in 17 games and hit .146 for the Phils.
• Dave Philley (born 1920) – In 18 major league seasons, Philley, an outfielder and first baseman, played for both the Philadelphia Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1951-1953, he played in 433 games with the A’s and hit .278. In two different stints with the Phillies, he played in 204 games and hit an even .300.
• Tyler Cloyd (born 1987) – A right-hander, Cloyd made 17 starts and two relief appearances with the Phillies in 2012 and 2013, posting a 5.98 ERA.
• Donny Sands (born 1995) – Another player whose entire MLB resume was with Philadelphia. He played in three games and went 0-for-3 with a walk during the 2022 season. He currently is playing for Jalisco in the Mexican League and is hitting .236 in 17 games.

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