1. 500th Home Run (April 18. 1987)
Mike Schmidt entered the 1987 season needing five home runs to reach the 500-home run club. After a hot start, Schmidt had four home runs for the season after the first ten games. However, the Phillies were just 2-8 on the season.
The final game of a weekend series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, the Phillies got off to a quick start, scoring five in the first three innings. However, as was the case early on, the Phillies couldn’t hold a lead. Leading 5-2 in the eighth, Steve Bedrosian got hammered, giving up four runs, seeing his ERA balloon to 11.05. Ironically, Bedrosian would rebound after his dreadful month of April to save 40 and earn Cy Young award honors.
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Trailing by the score of 6-5 heading into the ninth, Don Robinson was on the hill for the Pirates. After a ground out by Gross, a Milt Thompson single, and Juan Samuel hitting into a fielder’s choice, it was up to Von Hayes to keep the game alive. After a Samuel steal and Hayes walk, it set the stage for Schmidt.
Schmidt had gone 0-for-3 on the day and didn’t come close to a home run in any at-bat. After getting ahead in the count, 3-0, Schmidt got the green light and did not miss the next offering. His blast got out of the park in near record time, deep to left. Bobby Bonilla of the Pirates could only turn and watch.
Phillies legendary announcer Harry Kalas made the call of his career:
“Swing and a long drive, there it is! Number 500! The career 500th home run for Michael Jack Schmidt and the Phillies have regained the lead in Pittsburgh, 8-6! The Phillies dugout comes swarming out to home plate!”
The home run also proved to be the game winner. Schmidt went on to hit 35 home runs that year and finished his career two years later with 548 home runs, good for seventh-most at the time.