1968 Philadelphia Phillies season
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Phillies
season was a season in Major League Baseball
. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League
with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.
. However, Martin Luther King, Jr.
was assassinated
on April 4, 1968, leading to days of national unrest. President Johnson declared Monday, April 8, a national day of mourning, and the funeral was scheduled for April 9. The Dodgers initially refused to postpone the game leading Phillies GM John Quinn and President Bob Carpenter to announce that the Phillies would not play on April 9 even under threat of forfeit. On April 7, Quinn told reporters, "Under the rules, the game can be forfeited and we could be fined. But we have made our final decision. We will not play." In consultation with NL President Warren Giles
, the Dodgers eventually agreed and postponed the game. The Phillies opened April 10, 1968 with a Chris Short
2 to 0 shutout of the Dodgers.
On July 28, 1968, George Culver
of the Cincinnati Reds
pitched a 6-1 no-hitter against the Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader at Connie Mack Stadium.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
season was a season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.
Offseason
- November 28, 1967: Doc EdwardsDoc EdwardsHoward Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years...
was drafted by the Phillies from the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 1967 minor league draft. - December 15, 1967: Jim BunningJim BunningJames Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
was traded by the Phillies to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Woodie FrymanWoodie FrymanWoodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
, Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
, Don MoneyDon MoneyDonald Wayne Money is a retired major league baseball player. He currently serves as the special instructor of player development for the Milwaukee Brewers....
and Harold Clem (minors). - January 26, 1968: Manny TrilloManny TrilloJesús Manuel Marcano Trillo , also nicknamed "Indio", is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from to...
was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent.
Regular season
The Phillies were scheduled to open the 1968 season on April 9, 1968 in Los AngelesDodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. However, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
was assassinated
Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination
Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent American leader of the African-American civil rights movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39...
on April 4, 1968, leading to days of national unrest. President Johnson declared Monday, April 8, a national day of mourning, and the funeral was scheduled for April 9. The Dodgers initially refused to postpone the game leading Phillies GM John Quinn and President Bob Carpenter to announce that the Phillies would not play on April 9 even under threat of forfeit. On April 7, Quinn told reporters, "Under the rules, the game can be forfeited and we could be fined. But we have made our final decision. We will not play." In consultation with NL President Warren Giles
Warren Giles
Warren Crandall Giles was a National League executive in Major League Baseball.-Baseball:Giles was elected president of the Moline, Illinois baseball club in the Three-I League in 1919 and began a 50-year career in baseball that saw him rise all the way to the presidency of the National League...
, the Dodgers eventually agreed and postponed the game. The Phillies opened April 10, 1968 with a Chris Short
Chris Short
Christopher Joseph "Style" Short was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , and in his final year, for the Milwaukee Brewers . He was a left-handed pitcher, but batted righty. He was born in Milford, Delaware.Short was considered a top pitcher from 1964 through 1968 with...
2 to 0 shutout of the Dodgers.
On July 28, 1968, George Culver
George Culver
George Culver is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the major leagues from 1966-1974. Culver would play for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies...
of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
pitched a 6-1 no-hitter against the Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader at Connie Mack Stadium.
Notable transactions
- June 7, 1968: Buddy SchultzBuddy SchultzCharles Budd "Buddy" Schultz , was a Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals....
was drafted by the Phillies in the 4th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign.
Roster
| 1968 Philadelphia Phillies | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 13 | 3 | .231 | 0 | 2 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 213.2 | 12 | 14 | 2.78 | 151 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3.67 | 49 | |