Events in Phillies history for December 1

  • 1896: The Philadelphia Phillies named George Stallings as player/manager. He only appeared in three games on the field while managing the club. You can learn more about Phillies player-managers in the November 15 Deeper Dive.
  • 1943: The Phillies hired Herb Pennock — formerly a Red Sox and Yankees pitcher — as the club’s first full-time general manager, giving him a “lifetime” contract. Pennock passed away in 1948, thus fulfilling his “lifetime” contract.
  • 1964: The Phillies traded rookie left fielder Danny Cater and minor-leaguer Lee Elia to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Ray Herbert and outfielder/first baseman Jeoff Long.
  • 1969: The Phillies lost Manny Trillo, who was originally signed by the Phillies, in the Rule 5 draft when he was selected by the Oakland A’s. Trillo would eventually return and have a significant career with the club.
  • 1986: Veteran third baseman Mike Schmidt earned his 10th, and final, Gold Glove to give him 10 gold gloves in 11 seasons starting in 1976.
  • 1989: The Phillies signed free agent outfielder Carmelo Martinez, who would be traded to Pittsburgh less than a year later in the deal that brought Wes Chamberlain to Philadelphia. About eight months later, Martinez was dealt to Kansas City and two months after that, was dealt to Cincinnati. In a little less than two years, Martinez played for four different organizations.

Phillies personnel born on December 1

  • Cal McLish (1925) McLish pitched for the Phillies from 1962–1964, and later served as the Phillies’ pitching coach in 1965–1966.
  • Drew Ellis (1995) He is a third baseman who has played in the majors for Arizona, Seattle, and Philadelphia. He played in 12 games for the Phillies in 2017 and hit .217.
  • Dan Schatzeder (1954) A left-handed pitcher, Schatzeder made 51 relief appearances for the Phillies in 1986 and 1987, going 6-4, 3.76 with the team. In his 15-year MLB career he also pitched for Montreal, Houston, Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, San Francisco, Kansas City, and the NY Mets.

A DEEPER DIVE… Manny Trillo

Manny Trillo’s professional story begins when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1968, but his big league path truly took shape after the club lost him to Oakland in the Rule 5 Draft in 1972. The Athletics liked his athleticism and strong arm, and they saw him as a player who would grow into a dependable middle infielder. Trillo made his debut with Oakland that same year and spent his early time learning the pace of the majors. He did not receive a full opportunity to start because the A’s roster was loaded with experienced infielders. Even so, he earned a reputation as a steady presence with good instincts. His early years showed flashes of the player he would become, especially on defense, where his hands and range began to stand out.

Move to the Cubs and Establishment as a Starter
Trillo’s career took a more defined turn when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1973. Chicago gave him regular playing time at second base and he quickly became known for his defensive consistency. He was smooth around the bag and his throws to first were crisp. With the Cubs he started to show more offensive development and gained confidence as a hitter. His time in Chicago proved important because it allowed him to grow into an everyday player. His performance there impressed people across the league and set up the next major chapter of his career.

Arrival in Philadelphia and Rise to Stardom
The Phillies acquired Trillo before the 1979 season in the trade that sent Greg Gross, Dave Rader, and Jerry Martin to Chicago. For Philadelphia, Trillo became the final piece of an already talented infield that included Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, and Pete Rose, with Rose joining the Phillies that same year. His calm approach, reliable glove, and knack for making tough plays look easy made him a perfect fit for a club with postseason ambitions.

Trillo’s defensive ability reached new heights with Philadelphia. He won three Gold Gloves with the Phillies and became one of the best second basemen in the game. His play was crisp and efficient and he excelled at turning double plays. The fans appreciated his flair on plays up the middle and his quick release on throws. His presence stabilized the infield and gave the team a reliable defender during the most successful period in franchise history.

His offensive performance also grew in Philadelphia. He did not rely on power, but he was a tough out who delivered key hits in important moments. The most memorable example came during the 1980 National League Championship Series against Houston. Trillo delivered one of the biggest hits in franchise history when he lined a go-ahead triple against Joe Sambito in Game 5. That hit helped propel the Phillies to the World Series, and his overall play earned him the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award. He continued to contribute during the World Series victory over Kansas City, and his value to that championship team is still widely recognized.

Departure from the Phillies and Later Career
Following the 1982 season, the Phillies traded Trillo to Cleveland in the “Five-For-One” Von Hayes deal. The move broke up the long standing Phillies infield, but the club sought pitching and reorganized its roster. Trillo brought his usual steadiness to Cleveland, though the team was in a rebuilding phase and lacked the surrounding talent he had enjoyed in Philadelphia. Even so, he continued to earn respect for his glove and approach to the game.

Trillo then moved to Montreal in 1983 when the Expos acquired him to strengthen their infield depth. His stay in Montreal was brief, but he continued to show the same fundamentals that had defined his career. A year later he signed with San Francisco, where he played both second and third base. His adaptability helped extend his career and he became a valuable veteran presence. Later he returned briefly to the Cubs in 1986 before finishing with the Cincinnati Reds, giving him a full arc that touched several National League clubs.

Trillo’s Legacy
Manny Trillo’s playing days were defined by precision and reliability. He was not loud or flashy off the field but his defensive work made a lasting impact. Phillies fans remember him as a key part of the first championship team and as one of the finest defensive second basemen the club has ever had. His journey from a little known amateur signee to an award winning postseason hero shows how talent, timing, and opportunity can come together to shape a memorable career.

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