3 Big moments on this day in Phillies history
Pete Rose passed Mickey Mantle’s record of most runs scored by a switch-hitter
On this day in 1978, Pete Rose crossed home plate for the 1677th time in his career which officially passed Mickey Mantle’s record of 1676 runs scored by a switch-hitter. After a 24-year career that ended in 1986, Rose remains the switch-hitter leader in MLB with a total of 2165 runs scored.
Rose, to this day, is one of the best batters in MLB history. He still holds multiple records despite retiring several decades ago and set the bar high for current and future players. He currently remains the career-hit leader with 4256 hits. He worked hard toward these high achievements and, according to ESPN, wasn’t a natural talent.
“In his first pro season, 1960, Rose batted .277 and led his Class D league in errors. He lifted weights, gaining bulk and strength, and blossomed the next year. In 1963, the player who was known as “Hollywood” in the minors became the Reds’ second baseman and hit .273, winning Rookie of the Year honors.” -Bob Carter, via ESPN
Most of Rose’s MLB career was with the Cincinnati Reds, but he made a mark on every team he joined. He quickly became an asset and a valuable team player in the league and was likely on his way to a Hall of Fame induction before facing a lifetime ban from MLB.
Jayson Werth tied the Phillies’ single-game RBI record
On this day in 2008, Jayson Werth tied the Phillies’ single-game RBI record by driving eight runs total against the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit three home runs and brought the Phillies to a 10-3 victory. He’s currently named to the record as the last person to tie with nobody surpassing it yet.
May 16, 2008: Jayson Werth homers three times and drives in eight runs against the Blue Jays.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) May 16, 2022
Werth remains the last Phillie to hit three home runs in a game at Citizens Bank Park. pic.twitter.com/t9mWKUqtXE
Werth only played four seasons with the Phillies, but those four seasons were some of the best in his 15-year career. He scored 106 of his 883 career total runs within one season in 2009 with the Phillies. In the same season produced 164 total hits which is the most he has produced in a single season.
The Phillies noticed his talent and named him to the 2009 All-Star team, which became the only All-Star team he was named to in his MLB career. He set records in the franchise and helped bring the team to the playoffs during every season he played. Werth made a large impact in his short time with the team.
“The Phillies made the playoffs in all four of Werth’s seasons with the team, and his 11 postseason home runs are the most in franchise history. Werth made an All-Star team with the Phillies in 2009, when he homered 36 times and drove in 99 runs. A season later, Werth led baseball with 46 doubles in what turned out to be his final season with the Phillies.” -Tim Kelly, via Phillies Nation
Next. What if the Phillies had signed Tom Seaver in 1966?. dark