The Main Event
February 16, 1982 – The Phillies traded Bake McBride to Cleveland for pitcher Sid Monge. In five seasons with the Phillies, McBride stole 98 bases and hit .292/.335/.435/.770. Monge went 10-1, 4.20 in 61 relief appearances with the Phillies in 1982 and 1983. He was dealt to San Diego in May of 1983 for outfielder Joe Lefebvre.
Bake McBride grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where his speed and smooth athleticism made him a standout long before he reached professional baseball. Drafted out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967, he moved steadily through the minors and quickly developed a reputation as a dynamic outfielder capable of impacting a game in multiple ways. He was a line-drive hitter with excellent speed, capable of playing all three outfield positions, and he showed early signs of being more than just a role player. By the early 1970s, he was knocking on the major league door and was poised to become a regular contributor.
McBride debuted with the Cardinals in 1973 and immediately flashed the tools that had made him a top prospect. His breakout came in 1974, when he hit .309 with 30 doubles and 41 stolen bases, finishing fourth in National League MVP voting. He was a catalyst at the top of the lineup, combining speed with surprising power and strong defense. Injuries, however, became a recurring theme. Shoulder and leg issues limited his availability and consistency over the next few seasons, preventing him from fully building on his early success. Still, when healthy, McBride remained a productive player, and his reputation around the league was that of a dangerous leadoff hitter who could change a game with his legs or his bat.
Arrival in Philadelphia
In December 1977, McBride was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in a deal that would shape the most memorable chapter of his career. Philadelphia was coming off a division title and was building toward sustained contention, and McBride fit neatly into that vision. He brought speed, energy, and postseason experience to a club that already featured stars like Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski. For McBride, the move offered a fresh start and a chance to play on a bigger stage.
McBride’s time in Philadelphia was the most visible and successful stretch of his career. He quickly became a key part of the lineup, often batting near the top and setting the tone for a deep offense. His best season with the Phillies came in 1979, when he hit .309 with 16 home runs, 77 runs batted in, and 78 runs scored. That performance earned him his first All-Star selection and helped propel Philadelphia to another division title.
In 1980, McBride was a central figure on the Phillies’ first World Series championship team. Though injuries limited him during parts of the season, he delivered some of the most important moments of the postseason. His dramatic, go-ahead three-run homer in Game Four of the National League Championship Series against Houston stands as one of the defining hits in franchise history. He also contributed in the World Series against Kansas City, providing timely offense and steady defense as the Phillies finally captured the title that had eluded them for nearly a century.
McBride remained productive in the early 1980s, earning a second All-Star nod in 1982. Even as injuries continued to interrupt his seasons, his impact was clear. He brought a blend of toughness and flair to the clubhouse and was widely respected by teammates for playing through pain and delivering in big moments.
Later career and life after baseball
Just prior to the 1982 season, the Phillies traded McBride to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Sid Monge. McBride would finish out his 11-year MLB career by playing two seasons with the Indians. By that point, injuries had taken their toll, and he was no longer the explosive player he had been earlier. Still, in his time with Cleveland, he provided veteran leadership and occasional flashes of the speed and bat control that defined his prime.
Following his retirement, McBride remained connected to baseball and became a beloved figure in Philadelphia sports history. His postseason heroics, especially during the 1980 championship run, secured his place in Phillies lore. While his career numbers do not always capture his full value, his impact in crucial moments and his role in one of the franchise’s most important eras ensure that Bake McBride is remembered as much more than just a supporting player. He was, at his best, a difference-maker on a team that finally reached the top.
Philadelphia Baseball Events for February 16
February 16, 1953 – In a four-team trade, the Phillies traded pitcher Russ Meyer to the Brooklyn Dodgers and sent cash to the Milwaukee Braves. The Cincinnati Redlegs sent Joe Adcock to the Milwaukee Braves. The Brooklyn Dodgers sent Jim Pendleton to the Milwaukee Braves. The Brooklyn Dodgers sent Rocky Bridges to the Cincinnati Redlegs. The Milwaukee Braves sent Earl Torgeson to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Milwaukee Braves sent the cash from Philadelphia to the Cincinnati Redlegs. In other words: The Phillies traded pitcher Russ Meyer and cash for first baseman Earl Torgeson.
February 16, 1989 – Signed pitcher Steve Ontiveros – not to be confused with infielder Steve Ontiveros. With the Phillies, Ontiveros suffered through some injuries, pitching in 11 games – five starts – in 1989 and 1990.
February 16, 2004 – Signed free agent Doug Glanville, who had played with the Phillies from 1998-2002. In a total of 841 games with the Phillies, Glanville stole 143 bases and slashed .276/.315/.382/.697. He is currently a commentator for ESPN.
February 16, 2014 – Signed pitcher A.J. Burnett to a one-year deal. In 2014, Burnett in games started with 34, but unfortunately, also led the league in losses (18), earned runs (109), and walks (96).
February 16, 2023 – Signed reliever Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year contract. In July of 2024, the Phillies dealt Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache to Baltimore for outfielder Austin Hays.
Around The Majors
February 16, 2004 – Alex Rodriguez is traded by the Rangers to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later (Joaquin Arias), as the Rangers want to get out from the massive ten-year contract they gave A-Rod before the 2001 season.
ICYMI
PBN – The Phillies Could Face an ‘Elite’ Distraction
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jesus Luzardo Wants to be as Elite as Possible
Philadelphia Inquirer – New Padre Nick Castellanos Says He is Glad to Play for a Manager Who Has ‘Done it on the Field’
The Athletic (subscription required) – Harper, Machado Laud Dodgers Spending Amid Expiring CBA Concerns
Phillies.com – Why Nola Believes He Will Bounce Back in 2026
Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 16
Ben Sanders (born 1865) was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1888, 1889), Philadelphia Quakers (1890), and the Philadelphia Athletics (1891). Sanders debuted in 1888 and led the National League with eight shutouts as a rookie.
Jack Scheible (born 1866) Pitched for the Phillies in 1894, lasting just 0.1 innings and allowing 10 runs – seven earned – for an ERA of 189.00. The previous season he pitched for Cleveland and made two starts, both of which were complete games with one of them being a shutout. In 18 innings he allowed four earned runs for a 2.00 ERA.
Alex Ferguson (born 1897) Born in Montclair, NJ, Ferguson pitched 10 seasons in the majors, including 1927-1929 with the Phillies. He finished his MLB career with a 61-85 record and a 4.93 ERA.
Don Landrum (born 1936) Made his major league debut and played two games for the Phillies in 1957 and went 1-for-7 (.143). Played 1958, ’59, and most of 1960 in the minors before being dealt to St. Louis in September of 1960.
Barry Foote (born 1952) was the third overall pick of the Expos in 1970 and was traded to the Phillies along with pitcher Dan Warthen for Tim Blackwell and Wayne Twitchell at the June 15 trading deadline in 1977.
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