Perhaps next year we will be talking about October 8 being the date that the Phillies started a comeback in the 2025 NLDS against the Dodgers. For now, let’s focus on the 1983 postseason.

Key Phillies Events on October 8

  • 1977 NLCS – Dodgers defeat Phillies 3-1
    The Phillies were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion at Veterans Stadium in Game 4 of the NLCS. Leading 5-3 in the ninth inning, a series of defensive miscues and clutch hits by the Dodgers—including a controversial play involving pinch-hitter Vic Davalillo—led to a stunning 6-5 loss. The defeat ended a 101-win season and marked one of the most painful collapses in franchise history.
  • 1983 NLCS – Phillies defeat Dodgers 3-1
    The Phillies clinched the National League pennant with a decisive 7-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 at Veterans Stadium. Gary Matthews was named NLCS MVP after hitting .429 with three home runs in the series. The victory sent the “Wheeze Kids”—a veteran-laden squad—back to the World Series for the first time since 1980.

Phillies Birthdays on October 8

  • Taylor Featherston (born 1989) – Featherston played in just 19 games for the 2016 Phillies and went 3-for-26 (.115). A year earlier, he hit just .162 with the Angels, but somehow played in 101 games with 169 plate appearances.
  • David Doster (born 1970) – Played with the Phillies in 1996 and again in 1999, playing in 138 games and posting a career line of 4-18-.233/.297/.342. Doster is a member of the Reading Fightins Hall of Fame.
  • Danny Murtaugh (born 1917) – Best known as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Murtaugh started his playing career with the Phillies in 1941 and played the next two seasons in Philly before leaving for military service. He returned in 1946 and played in six more games with the Phils. Murtaugh managed the Pirates for 15 seasons in four different stints leading them to a World Series championship in 1960 and again in 1971. He finished with a managerial record of 1,115-950.

A Deeper Dive… The 1983 NLCS

The 1983 National League Championship Series featured the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-five showdown that marked a return to prominence for the Phillies. After a transitional few years following their 1980 World Series title, the team had retooled with a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. Dubbed the “Wheeze Kids” for their aging roster, the Phillies leaned on experience, savvy, and timely hitting to topple the favored Dodgers.

Game 1 took place at Dodger Stadium, where the Phillies fell 2–1 in a tightly contested pitchers’ duel. Jerry Reuss held Philadelphia in check, while Steve Carlton pitched well but took the loss. The Dodgers appeared poised to control the series, but the Phillies had other plans. In Game 2, also in Los Angeles, the Phillies bounced back with a 1–0 victory behind a masterful performance from rookie Charles Hudson and a solo home run by Gary Matthews, who would go on to be the series MVP.

When the series shifted to Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, the momentum swung decisively. Game 3 saw the Phillies erupt for seven runs, including another homer from Matthews and a strong outing from Carlton. The Dodgers struggled to generate offense, and the Phillies took a 2–1 series lead. Game 4 was the clincher. With the crowd roaring, the Phillies rolled to a 7–2 win, powered by Matthews’ third home run of the series and a solid start from Hudson. The victory sent Philadelphia to its fourth World Series appearance, and its second in four years.

Gary Matthews’ performance was the defining story of the series. He hit .429 with three home runs and eight RBIs, delivering in key moments and energizing the lineup. The Phillies’ pitching was equally impressive, with Carlton and Hudson combining for three wins and Tug McGraw anchoring the bullpen. Defensively, the team was sharp, and veterans like Joe Morgan, Tony Pérez, and Pete Rose provided leadership and poise.

The Dodgers, despite a strong regular season, were stymied by Philadelphia’s pitching and failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Their lineup, which included Steve Garvey, Dusty Baker, and Pedro Guerrero, was held to just five runs over four games. The Phillies’ ability to neutralize the Dodgers’ power and execute in clutch situations proved decisive.

The 1983 NLCS was a testament to the value of experience and chemistry. The Phillies, with a roster that many considered past its prime, showed that postseason success often hinges on timing, leadership, and belief. Their triumph over the Dodgers was not just an upset—it was a validation of their approach and a celebration of a team that refused to be counted out. Though they would fall to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series, the NLCS remains a proud chapter in Phillies history, showcasing the grit and determination of a team that came together when it mattered most.