Schmidt’s blast proves the difference in wild win at Wrigley
On a day when the wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field, not even one of the game’s greatest relief pitchers could shut down Mike Schmidt.
On May 17, 1979, the Phillies’ third baseman smacked two home runs – including the game winner off fellow future Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter in the 10th inning – to give Philadelphia a 23-22 victory over the Cubs. Schmidt finished the day with four RBI, four walks and three runs scored…and no idea what the final score was.
“After we scored seven runs in the first inning, I looked over to (Cubs second baseman) Mick Kelleher and told him this thing could end 20-20 because we both wear No. 20,” Schmidt told the Associated Press. “What was the final score? Honestly, I don’t know.
“You know, you say you never score enough runs in Wrigley Field, but usually it is said sarcastically. I guess it’s really true.”
The barrage left Schmidt with 14 homers on the season – including 10 in May alone – en route to a season total of 45.
“Talk about whacko games,” Schmidt told Jayson Stark of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “If the wind was blowing in a hundred miles an hour, I don’t think you would have seen quite as many runs.”
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
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