The Philadelphia Phillies and home runs on October 15th

Jul 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) hits a two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The long ball has historically been a friend to the Philadelphia Phillies playoff successes on October 15th.

In game five the 2008 National League Championship Series the Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 with a little help from Jimmy Rollins, who hit a solo home run to start the game.

To help secure their first World Series appearance in 15 years, the Phillies scored their last four runs in the third and fifth inning.  It also didn’t hurt that Cole Hamels improved to 2-0 with a seven-inning gem.  The southpaw gave up just five hits, including a solo shot by Manny Ramirez.

After the game, then-manager Charlie Manuel promised the Phils would make a “grand parade.”  And obviously the ’08 team delivered that to the City of Brotherly Love.

Exactly one year later, the Phillies were sitting pretty once again.  This time, bigger blasts were used.

In game one of the 2009 NLCS, Cole Hamels once again had the ball and earned the win, but a pair of three-run homers courtesy of Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez certainly helped him in the 8-6 ballgame.

Oddly enough, Ramirez once again homered as well.

The Kansas City Royals are currently seeing October 15th as “Clinchmas,” but in the 1980 World Series they fell behind 2-0 to the Phillies.

Philadelphia scored four runs in the eighth inning of that game to come from behind and win 6-4.  No home runs were hit by either team that night at Veterans Stadium.

Steve Carlton earned the win and 1980 World Series Most Valuable Player, Mike Schmidt, went 2-for-4 with an RBI.