Phillies events on October 28

  • October 28, 2009 – Cliff Lee threw a complete-game and Chase Utley hit two home runs as the Phillies won Game 1 of the 2009 World Series in New York by a 6-1 score.

Phillies people born on October 28

  • George Hennessey (1907) — Right-handed pitcher from Slatington, Pennsylvania, who appeared in the majors for the St. Louis Browns (1937), the Philadelphia Phillies (1942), and the Chicago Cubs (1945). Hennessey pitched 27.2 major league innings and posted a 1–2 record and a 5.20 ERA during his big-league career.

A DEEPER DIVE…. Cliff Lee’s tenure in Philadelphia

Cliff Lee’s tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies, though relatively brief, left a pronounced mark on the club and its fans because it represented an aggressive, win-now move by a championship-caliber team. The Phillies acquired Lee at the July 29, 2009 trade deadline from the Cleveland Indians in a package that sent four prospects — Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Jason Donald, and Lou Marson — to Cleveland while the Phillies also received outfielder Ben Francisco in the deal. The pickup of Lee was one of the boldest deadline additions in franchise history. Philadelphia, already a contender fresh off a World Series title in 2008, sought an ace who could both stabilize the rotation and elevate the club’s postseason ceiling.

Lee’s impact in Philadelphia was immediate and unmistakable. A cerebral left-hander with a polished repertoire — sinking fastball, tight cutter, sweeping curve and a changeup that neutralized hitters — he plugged into a rotation that already featured Cole Hamels and others and gave the Phillies a bona fide frontline starter. On the mound Lee brought precision command, an ability to generate weak contact, and a habit of pitching deep into games, traits that fit perfectly with the Phillies’ mix of power and pitching depth.

The single most memorable highlight of Lee’s Phillies stint was his performance in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series. In New York against the Yankees, Lee delivered a complete-game, one-run victory that set the tone for the series and showcased the kind of dominance that had made him a Cy Young winner just the year before. That outing reinforced his reputation as a postseason caliber pitcher who could handle the bright lights and the pressure of the biggest stages.

Throughout the remainder of 2009, Lee provided several high-quality starts that helped the Phillies maintain their standing atop the National League East and arrive in October with momentum. His presence altered how opponents approached the Phillies lineup and gave the team flexibility in postseason matchups. Beyond the box score, Lee’s low-key, professional demeanor and veteran presence were valued in a clubhouse that prized focus and execution.

Although his stint in Philadelphia did not evolve into a long-term residency — roster moves and contract considerations after the season changed the landscape — the decision to acquire Lee is still remembered as emblematic of the Phillies front office spending to win immediately and as a defining moment of the 2009 championship run. The trade is also frequently discussed in historical context because the Phillies parted with several top prospects, most notably Carlos Carrasco, a cost that has been debated in retrospective evaluations of the deal.

In short, Cliff Lee’s time with the Phillies was short but significant: he arrived as an established ace, delivered top-tier starts when the stakes were highest, and produced one of the signature pitching performances of Philadelphia’s recent postseason history. His acquisition remains a key example of a franchise trading future promise for present championship ambition.