Legacy of Mike Schmidt

As good as Schmidt was, odds are that he’d be as dominant in today’s game.

Some Major League Baseball players deserve all the glory and honor. I was not fortunate enough to see many of these players play. The player I am referring to retired the same year I was born, in 1989. The player I am referring to is Michael Jack Schmidt, who spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies (1972-1989). He was one of the elite players in the game, demonstrating true greatness.

Mike Schmidt (photo courtesy This Day in Baseball)

Mike Schmidt was born to play baseball. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 27, 1949. Schmidt was drafted by the Phillies in the 2nd Round of the 1971 June Amateur Draft from Ohio University. He made his MLB debut in 1972. Schmidt’s breakout season was in 1974 when he led the National League (NL) in home runs with 36 and drove in 116 runs. This was the first of eight seasons in which he led the NL in home runs. Schmidt led the NL in RBI four times.

Schmidt was an excellent defensive third baseman. He had outstanding range and quick reflexes at the hot corner. Schmidt won 10 Gold Glove Awards for playing incredible defense.

Schmidt won his first NL MVP in 1980. He slugged a career high 48 home runs and knocked in 121 runs. Schmidt helped lead the Phillies to their first championship that season by defeating the Kansas City Royals in six games in the World Series. He won World Series MVP. Schmidt was even better in the strike-shortened 1981 season. He hit a career high of .316 with 31 home runs and 91 runs batted in just 102 games. Schmidt won his second straight MVP in 1981.

Mike was a true student of the game. He hit for a better average during the later part of his career. Schmidt was able to draw bases on balls at a solid clip. He has a career on-base percentage of .380. Schmidt hit at least 30 home runs 13 times in his career. He was your typical slugger.

Schmidt ended his career with 548 career homeruns, which is 16th all-time. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. Schmidt is considered the most outstanding player in Phillies history. I believe he would have been an even more dominant player in today’s game.

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Editor: You can also find this article on Anthony’s personal blog.