Phillies History Events on December 20

  • December 20, 2016 – The Phillies acquired veteran right-hander Clay Buchholz from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league second baseman Josh Tobias. Buchholz made two starts before suffering a torn right flexor tendon and missing the rest of the season. Following the season he signed with Arizona as a free agent.
  • December 20, 2017 – Free agent Carlos Santana signed with the Phillies. Following the season, he was dealt to Seattle along with J.P. Crawford for pitcher Juan Nicasio, James Pazos, and Jean Segura. 10 days later the Mariners dealt him to Cleveland where he started his career.
  • December 20, 2024 – The Phillies agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Max Kepler, who hit 18 home runs, but batted just .216 with Philadelphia.

Phillies personnel born on December 20

  • Oscar Gamble (born 1949): A longtime Major League outfielder and designated hitter who played with the Phillies from 1970-1972 before being traded to Cleveland. Best known for his powerful bat and distinctive hair.
  • Butch Henline (born 1894): A catcher who starred with the Phillies in the early 1920s, leading National League catchers in fielding and serving as team captain during his tenure.
  • Bob Hall (born 1878): An outfielder/infielder who played 46 games with the Phillies in 1904 and batted just .160. He played with the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1905, hitting a combined .238.
  • Jack Manning (born 1853): 19th-century major leaguer who spent time with the Philadelphia Quakers (1883-1885) as a position player and occasional pitcher. Played a total of 12 seasons in the majors.

A DEEPER DIVE… Just passing through

With the list of events for December 20 including three players who spent just one season in Philadelphia – except if Max Kepler re-signs, which I think we all agree is not going to happen – let’s look at players who spent just a single season with the Phillies yet built meaningful careers elsewhere.

Carlos Santana (2018)
Santana’s lone year in Philadelphia was solid in terms of on‑base skills, but it never quite clicked the way the Phillies hoped. His real impact came in Cleveland, where he was a middle‑of‑the‑order anchor, an All‑Star, and a key part of multiple postseason runs. His return to Cleveland after leaving Philadelphia only reinforced that his best baseball lived elsewhere.

Clay Buchholz (2017)
Buchholz barely had a chance to make an impression with the Phillies because of injury, but his résumé was already established. He was a two‑time All‑Star in Boston, threw a no‑hitter, and played a role on several strong Red Sox teams. His Philadelphia stint was more of a footnote in a career defined by his early success in the AL East.

Max Kepler (2024)
Kepler’s time in Philadelphia was brief, but his reputation was built in Minnesota. He was a core piece of the Twins lineup for years, known for power, defense, and that breakout 2019 season when he hit 36 home runs. His Phillies season didn’t reshape his career narrative, but his overall track record certainly qualifies him for this list.

Juan Pierre (2012)
Pierre shows up as a classic example of a player who had his best years elsewhere before a short Phillies stay. He was a catalyst for the 2003 Marlins championship team and one of the most consistent contact hitters and base stealers of his era. His one season in Philadelphia was productive, but his legacy was already long established.

José Bautista (2018)
Bautista’s Phillies stint was extremely short, but his career peak in Toronto was enormous. He became one of the most feared sluggers in baseball, made six All‑Star teams, and delivered one of the most iconic postseason home runs of the modern era. His time in Philadelphia was more of a late‑career cameo than anything else.

Pedro Martinez (2009)
Pedro’s half‑season with the Phillies was memorable because it came during a pennant run, but his true greatness was obviously forged in Montreal and Boston. He was already a Hall of Fame lock by the time he arrived in Philadelphia. The search results highlight him as one of the notable “cup of coffee” Phillies from a different era.

Noah Syndergaard (2022)
Syndergaard’s brief Phillies tenure came after his peak years with the Mets, where he was an All‑Star and one of the most electric pitchers in baseball. Philadelphia got a serviceable version of him, but his reputation was built long before he arrived.

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