A look back at a turning point in the World Series 110 years ago. In our Deeper Dive segment, relive the “Wheeze Kids” of 1983 with a look at how that team was built and what they were able to achieve.
Phillies Historical Events on October 11
- 1915 World Series Game 3
The Phillies faced the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series. Hall of Famer Pete Alexander pitched a complete game, but Boston broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth with an RBI single by Duffy Lewis, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 series lead. - 1983 World Series Game 1 (I-95 World Series)
The Phillies opened the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Joe Morgan and Gary Maddox each homered, and John Denny pitched 7.2 strong innings. President Ronald Reagan attended the game in Baltimore, where the Phillies won 2-1. - 2009 NLDS Game 3 (Makeup Game)
After a snowout in Colorado, the Phillies played Game 3 of the NLDS against the Rockies. In the ninth inning, a controversial call awarded Chase Utley first base, and Ryan Howard followed with a deep sacrifice fly to score Jimmy Rollins, securing a dramatic win.
Phillies Birthdays on October 11
- Curt Ford — born 1960
Outfielder who played for the Phillies in 1989–1990 after being acquired from the Cardinals. Ford was known for his speed and defense, and he had previously hit .308 in the 1987 World Series with St. Louis before finishing his MLB career in Philadelphia. - Joe Roa — born 1971
Right-handed pitcher nicknamed “The Roa Constrictor.” Roa pitched for the Phillies in 2002–2003, part of a journeyman career that spanned six MLB seasons with multiple clubs. He was a reliable depth starter and reliever, logging 120 big-league appearances overall. - Ty Wigginton — born 1977
Versatile infielder who played for the Phillies in 2012. Wigginton was a 2010 All-Star with Baltimore and hit 169 career home runs across 12 MLB seasons. With Philadelphia, he provided right-handed power and filled in at first base, third base, and the outfield.
A DEEPER DIVE… The 1983 “Wheeze Kids”
The 1983 Phillies season was a story of veteran leadership, midseason turbulence, and a surprising pennant run that earned the team the nickname “The Wheeze Kids.” Built around aging stars and a few timely acquisitions, the Phillies managed to capture the National League East, defeat the Dodgers in the NLCS, and reach the World Series in their centennial year.
The construction of the 1983 roster reflected both continuity and change. The Phillies had won the World Series just three years earlier, but by 1982 the club had slipped to a .500 finish. General manager Paul Owens sought to retool without tearing down. In December 1982, the Phillies made a bold trade with Cleveland, sending Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Julio Franco, and others for Von Hayes, a young outfielder they believed could be a cornerstone. A few days later, they acquired two proven veterans from San Francisco: second baseman Joe Morgan and reliever Al Holland. Morgan, at 39, was a future Hall of Famer and longtime friend of Pete Rose, while Holland would become a key bullpen anchor. In January, the Phillies added another veteran presence in Tony Pérez, a 40-year-old slugger and former Big Red Machine teammate of Rose and Morgan. These moves gave the roster a distinctly seasoned look, with Rose at 41, Steve Carlton at 38, and Tug McGraw also 38. Philadelphia sportswriters quickly dubbed them the “Wheeze Kids,” a play on the “Whiz Kids” of 1950.
The season began under manager Pat Corrales, but the team stumbled to a 43–42 record by mid-July. Ownership and Owens felt the club was underachieving, so Corrales was dismissed despite being just half a game out of first place. Owens himself stepped into the dugout, and the team responded. Under his leadership, the Phillies went 47–30 the rest of the way, finishing 90–72 and six games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Owens emphasized fundamentals, leaned on his veterans, and benefited from a strong second half by Mike Schmidt, who led the team with 40 home runs and 109 RBI.
Several key moments defined the regular season. On April 13, Bo Díaz hit a dramatic walk-off grand slam with two outs in the ninth to beat the Mets 10–9, an early sign that the Phillies still had fight. On May 1, the franchise celebrated its 100th anniversary with a convincing 11–3 win over Houston, highlighted by Tony Perez driving in five runs. Later in the summer, the team began to find its stride, with Schmidt heating up and Morgan providing steady leadership at second base. Al Holland emerged as a reliable closer, saving 25 games with a 2.26 ERA, while Carlton, though no longer at his Cy Young peak, still won 15 games. John Denny, however, was the true ace, going 19–6 with a 2.37 ERA to capture the National League Cy Young Award.
The postseason run began with the Phillies facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. The Dodgers had dominated Philadelphia during the regular season, winning 11 of 12 meetings, but the script flipped in October. Behind strong pitching from Denny and Carlton, timely hitting from Gary Matthews, and clutch relief from Holland, the Phillies stunned Los Angeles in four games. Matthews was named NLCS MVP after hitting .429 with three home runs, providing the offensive spark the team needed.
SHOW YOUR PHILADELPHIA SPORTS PRIDE!
That victory set up a World Series matchup with the Baltimore Orioles. The Phillies took Game 1 in Baltimore behind Denny’s pitching and a Schmidt RBI, but the series quickly turned. Baltimore’s young stars, including Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray, combined with a deep pitching staff to win the next four games. The Phillies’ offense sputtered, and despite the efforts of their veterans, the team fell short of a second championship in four years.
Even in defeat, the 1983 season carried significance. It was the franchise’s centennial year, and the pennant run gave fans a chance to celebrate the club’s history. The “Wheeze Kids” label, once a jab at the team’s age, became a badge of honor as the veterans proved they could still compete at the highest level. For Owens, who had built the 1980 champions and then stepped into the dugout in 1983, it was a testament to his adaptability and leadership.
In retrospect, the 1983 Phillies embodied a unique blend of experience and resilience. They were not a dynasty in the making, but rather a group of proud veterans who found one more run together. The season remains memorable not only for the pennant but also for the way it showcased the enduring value of leadership, chemistry, and timely performance.
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