Mike Schmidt | |
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![]() Schmidt with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982 | |
Third baseman | |
Born: Dayton, Ohio, U.S. | September 27, 1949|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 12, 1972, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 28, 1989, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .267 |
Hits | 2,234 |
Home runs | 548 |
Runs batted in | 1,595 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Member of the National | |
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Induction | 1995 |
Vote | 96.5% (first ballot) |
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989.[1] Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and a three-time winner of the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award (MVP), and he was known for his combination of power hitting and strong defense. As a hitter, he compiled 548 home runs and 1,595 runs batted in (RBIs), and led the NL in home runs eight times and in RBIs four times. As a fielder, Schmidt won the National League Gold Glove Award for third basemen ten times. Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history.[2][3]
Having an unusual batting stance, Schmidt turned his back somewhat toward the pitcher and rocked his rear end back and forth while waiting for a pitch. By standing far back in the batter's box, he made it almost impossible to jam him by pitching inside.
Teammate Pete Rose once said, "To have his body, I'd trade him mine and my wife's, and I'd throw in some cash."[4]