They Weren't Always World Champions Quiz

Answer: Balor Moore

Schmidt was a late season call-up from the Minor Leagues that year, his first taste of the Major Leagues. On September 16, 1972, playing in Philadelphia's Veteran's Stadium, Schmidt hit a three-run home run over the left field fence. The home run won the game against the Montreal Expos 3-1.

It was Schmidt's only extra base hit in the 13 games he played that season, and the first of 548 home runs that he hit in his career.

Answer: Bobby Shantz

Valo played outfield for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics (1940-1943 and 1946-1956), Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1957-1958), Cleveland Indians (1959), New York Yankees (1960), Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1960-1961), and Philadelphia Phillies (1961). The missing years involved service in the military during World War II. He played for three teams who changed home cities during his tenure. But he wasn't the last ...

Bobby Shantz played for the Athletics (1949-1956), NY Yankees (1957-1960), Pittsburgh Pirates (1961), Houston Colt .45's (1962), St Louis Cardinals (1962-1964), Chicago Cubs (1964) and Philadelphia Phillies (1964) ... which was three years after Elmer Valo.

Answer: Jim Bunning

Bunning won election to the Kentucky state legislature. He subsequently won the opportunity to represent Kentucky in the US Senate.
Larry Jackson (June 2, 1931 to August 28, 1990) had a won-loss record of 194-183 with an earned run average of 3.40 and 1709 strikeouts. Jackson played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1955-1962), Chicago Cubs (1963-1966), and Philadelphia Phillies (1966-1968).
Jim Bunning (October 23, 1931) entered politics after baseball by becoming elected to the Kentucky State Senate. He took a Senate seat for Kentucky in 1999. Prior to that he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
for Kentucky from 1987-1999.
As a baseball player, Bunning amassed a win-loss record of 224-184, an earned run average of 3.27 with 2855 strikeouts. Bunning pitched for the Detroit Tigers (1955-1963), Philadelphia Phillies (1964-1967), Pittsburgh Pirates (1968-1969), Los Angeles Dodgers (1969), and Philadelphia Phillies (1970-1971). He pitched a perfect game for the Phillies against the New York Mets on Fathers Day 1964. He was named to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1994.

Answer: Richie Hebner

Hebner was offered a contract after high school by the NHLs Boston Bruins. He instead opted to sign with baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. Hebner played for the Pirates until 1976 and signed with the Phillies in 1976 as a free agent.
Hebner (November 26, 1947) had a career batting average of .276 with 203 home runs and 890 runs batted in. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1968-1976), Philadelphia Phillies (1977-1978), New York Mets (1979), Detroit Tigers (1980-1982), Pittsburgh Pirates (1982-1983), and Chicago Cubs (1984-1985).

Answer: Art Mahaffey

Mahaffey made his Major League debut as a relief pitcher in July 30, 1960. The future President of the National League, Bill White of the St. Louis Cardinals reached first. He didn't linger long as Mahaffey picked him off. He also picked off the next runner to reach first base.
Art Mahaffey (June 4, 1938) pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (1960-1965) and St. Louis Cardinals (1966). His career win-loss record was 59-64 with an earned run average of 4.17.

Answer: Ken Brett

Aaron hit number 400 off Bo Belinksy on April 20, 1966 in Philadelphia's Connie Mack Stadium in an 8-1 loss. Belinsky's biggest claim to fame may have been that he was married to overly endowed Mamie Van Doren.
Brett gave up number 700 on July 21, 1973 in a 8-3 Phillies win at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium. Brett's biggest claim to fame is that he is the brother of MLB Hall of Famer George Brett.
Hall of Famer Robin Roberts was the first Phillies pitcher to give up a 'Hammerin Hank' home run on June 26, 1954 at Connie Mack Stadium. The Phillies beat the then Milwaukee Braves 10-3 in that game.

Answer: Pete Alexander

Grover Cleveland Alexander (February 26, 1887 to November 4, 1950) was named as the 22nd President of the United States.
Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander (February 26, 1887 to November 4, 1950) was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1938. He had a 373-208 win-loss record with a 2.56 earned run average and 2198 strikeouts. Alexander toiled for the Philadelphia Phillies (1911-1917), Chicago Cubs (1918-1926), St. Louis Cardinals (1926-1929), and
Philadelphia Phillies (1930).

Answer: John Callison

While the other three all hit home runs in an All-Star game, Callison was the first. He homered in the ninth inning on July 7, 1964. The hit was what is now referred to as a 'walk-off home run', one that ends the game. It was hit off of the Boston's Dick Radatz and drove in three runs. The game was played in New York's Shea Stadium.
Allen hit his in the second inning at Anaheim Stadium in 1967.
Luzinski hit his in New York's Yankee Stadium in the first inning in 1976.
Schmidt connected for his in the eighth inning in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium in 1981.

Answer: Greg Luzinski

Luzinski was used in the opening game of the 1980 World Series against the Kansas City Royals. Luzinski batted fifth and went hitless. Moreland and Smith were used as designated hitters during the series also. Schmidt was the Most Valuable Player in that World Series, which was the Phillies' first-ever World Series win. Previous to 1980, the Phillies had only used the designated hitter in spring training games when playing in the ballparks of American League teams.

Answer: 76

The Phillies' first 20th century season at 100 wins or more was 1976, and then duplicated in 1977. Prior to 1976, 92 was the most wins, which they attained in 1964. In their five World Series seasons of the 20th century, they won 90 in 1915 and 1983, 91 in 1950 and 1980, and 97 in 1993. The Phillies did not make the World Series in 1976 or 1977.