Today in Philadelphia Phillies posteason history
Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; A squirrel runs out on the field during the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
October 5th marks a very memorable and yet very forgettable anniversary for the Philadelphia Phillies.
On this date in 2011 the Phillies were facing the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series and fans at Busch Stadium were in awe of a rodent. The “rally squirrel,” as it is now commonly known, made an appearance during the fifth inning of the 5-3 Cardinals’ win.
Phillies starting pitcher
claimed the squirrel distracted him and forced him to throw a ball, but he and manager Charlie Manuel’s arguments fell flat.
After the game Manuel joked with press by saying, “”Of course, being from the South and being a squirrel hunter, if I had a gun there, might have did something. I’m a pretty good shot.”
That same game Ryan Howard struck out three times, marking the tenth times he reached three strikeouts in a postseason game.
The Cardinals then edged the Phillies 1-0 in game five of the series, ending a run that many thought would end in a World Series Championship for Philadelphia.
On the same date in 2008, however, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2 to clinch a berth in the NLCS. Pat Burrell homered twice in the rout of the Brewers while Jayson Werth as well as current Phillie Jimmy Rollins also went yard once each.
Stretching all the way back to 1929 outfielder Lefty O’Doul set the NL season-high in hits with 254 as the Phillies faced the Giants in a doubleheader. The 1929 Philadelphia Phillies finished the season in fifth place in the NL with a 71-82 record.