Mike Schmidt
| Birthdate | 9/27/1949 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1972 |
| Year of Induction | 1995 |
| Teams | Phillies |
| Position | Third Base |
A 12-time All Star, 3-time MVP, and 10-time Gold Glover, Mike Schmidt is widely considered the greatest third baseman in MLB history.
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Mike Schmidt's 313 homers were the most in Major League Baseball during the 1980s
Mike Schmidt's 313 homers were the most in Major League Baseball during the 1980s
A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt was known for his home run hitting prowess as well as his fine glove work at the hot corner. An eight-time home run champion, Schmidt also earned ten Gold Glove Awards. The three-time MVP finished with 548 career round trippers.
Schmidt was one of the best players in baseball during the 1980s. The Philadelphia third baseman earned each of his MVP Awards during the decade. His 313 homers were the most in the majors.
In the collection is this letter dated May 17, 1988 singed by the Hall of Famer. That day Schmidt batted cleanup at Candlestick Park. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the Phillies’ 7-1 win over the Giants
The RBI tied him on the all-time list with Tigers Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Crawford.
Mike Schmidt drove in 100 or more runs in 7 seasons; he led the league four times
Mike Schmidt drove in 100 or more runs in 7 seasons; he led the league four times
Mike Schmidt finished his Hall of Fame career with 1,595 RBI. At the time of his retirement only 19 men had more. Schmidt reached the century mark in RBI in seven seasons.
From 1974-1987 he averaged 104 runs batted in per season. An All Star in 11 of those seasons, Schmidt paced the National League in RBI four times in his career.
In 1980 his drove in a career-best 121 runs. Shown here is a Topps baseball card depicting Schmidt and the AL RBI leader of ’80, Cecil Cooper. Both men have signed it.
Schmidt enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1980 as the league’s MVP. He posted the best numbers of his career in terms of homers (48), RBI (121), and total bases (342). The third baseman was recognized for his fielding with the fourth of his 10 Gold Glove Awards. Schmidt also earned the Silver Slugger.
In 1980 Schmidt led the Phillies to the first World Series title in franchise history
In 1980 Schmidt led the Phillies to the first World Series title in franchise history
The importance of the 1980 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies cannot be overstated. By winning baseball’s championship, the team became the last of the original 16 MLB teams to claim a Fall Classic title.
They got there in large part because of third baseman Mike Schmidt. The 8-time league leader in home runs slugged a career-best 48 on his way to earning the regular season MVP. Schmidt topped all NL batters in homers, RBI (121), total bases (342), and OPS+ (171).
In the World Series Schmidt was magnificent. He went 8-for-21 (.385), with a team-leading 2 homers and 7 runs batted in. The performance made him the first National League third baseman to earn the World Series MVP Award. Only hot corner man Brooks Robinson of the AL’s Baltimore club previously got the nod.
Shown here is a ticket to Game 1 to the 1970 World Series. Third baseman Robinson autographed the ticket and adds the inscription “1970 WS MVP”.
The game was a thriller. With the contest tied at 2 runs going into the 7th, Robinson hit a solo home run that proved to be the difference in Baltimore’s 3-2 victory.
Mike Schmidt became the Phillies franchise home run leader in 1981
Mike Schmidt became the Phillies franchise home run leader in 1981
On May 2nd, 1981 Mike Schmidt slammed his 289th career home run. With the shot he passed Del Ennis to become the Philadelphia Phillies all-time leading home run hitter.
With each of the next 259 homers he hit Schmidt extended the franchise mark. On April 18, 1987 he slammed his 500th home run joining 14 other sluggers who reached the plateau. Schmidt retired from baseball in 1989 with 548 career homers.
Shown here is an Exhibit card from 1947 signed by Del Ennis, the man Schmidt topped as the Phillies greatest slugger.
Schmidt finished with more home runs than Mickey Mantle
Schmidt finished with more home runs than Mickey Mantle
Shown here is a game-used lineup card from a historic Mike Schmidt milestone home run. The third baseman is written into the cleanup spot of manager Lee Elia’s order on July 14, 1988.
In the bottom of the 6th, Schmidt hit a home run over Veteran Stadium’s centerfield fence off of former Cy Young Award winner Mike Scott. The dinger was the 537th of Schmidt’s illustrious career, moving him past Yankee legend Mickey Mantle.
Mick’s 536th and final home run came off of Boston’s Jim Lonborg and put him third on the all-time list. Only Babe Ruth and Willie Mays had more. By the time Schmidt hit #537 it moved him out of a 7th-place tie with Mantle.
Mike Schmidt finished among the all-time leaders in homers and RBI
Mike Schmidt finished among the all-time leaders in homers and RBI
Mike Schmidt hit 548 homer and drove in 1,595 runs during his illustrious career. Few men in baseball history have equaled those totals.
Third baseman is widely considered the best to play his position. Schmidt hit 30 ore more homers in a season in 13 times. He drove in 100 or more runs in 8 different seasons.
In the collection is this ticket signed by Frank Thomas, one of the few men to surpass Schmidt’s RBI total. The date of the game links the two men together.
On June 28, 2007, Thomas hit his 500th career homer. That night he also drove in four runs to pass Schmidt on the all-time RBI list.
