1979 Philadelphia Phillies season explained

Philadelphia Phillies
Season:1979
League:National League
Division:East
Ballpark:Veterans Stadium
City:Philadelphia
Owners:R. R. M. "Ruly" Carpenter III
General Managers:Paul Owens
Managers:Danny Ozark, Dallas Green
Television:WPHL-TV
Radio:KYW
(Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, Andy Musser, Chris Wheeler)

The 1979 Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League East, 14 games behind the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates.

Offseason

Prior to the 1979 season, Pete Rose signed a four-year, $3.2-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, temporarily making him the highest-paid athlete in team sports. The Phillies were in the middle of the greatest era in the history of the franchise when Rose came on board. They had won the National League East three years running (1976–78) two of which were won with 101 win seasons.

The Phillies entered the 1979 season with one of the strongest lineups in the league with the addition of Rose but with numerous injuries on the pitching staff. AP sports writer Hal Bock picked the Phils to finish second behind the Pirates as the Phillies would enter the season with pitchers Larry Christenson, prospect Jim Wright, and Dick Ruthven all injured.[1]

Notable transactions

Regular season

On April 18, in a victory versus the Pirates, Greg Luzinski became the first visiting player to hit a home run into the fifth level of Three Rivers Stadium.[13]

On May 17, 1979, the Phillies beat the Cubs 23–22 at Wrigley Field in ten innings with a 30-mph wind blowing out to left field.[14] After the game, the Phils were 14 games over .500 and in first place by games over the Montreal Expos.[15]

On July 10 Del Unser hit his third consecutive pinch hit home run. Unser tied a Major League Baseball record with homers in three straight pinch at bats. The at bats were on June 30, July 5, and July 10.[16]

By August 29, the team had fallen to fifth place and two games under .500, games behind the Pirates.[17] Mid-season injuries to Manny Trillo, Larry Bowa, and Greg Luzinski contributed to hurt the club. The team's decline led to the firing of manager Danny Ozark on August 31 who was replaced by Dallas Green.[18] Green was named interim manager, a position made permanent shortly after the end of the season.[19]

Alternate uniforms

The Phillies front office introduced an alternate all-burgundy version of the team uniform for the 1979 season to be worn for Saturday games.[20] They were called "Saturday Night Specials", in a derisive nod to cheap handguns then called by that name and were worn for the first and last time on May 19, 1979,[21] a 10–5 loss to the Expos.[22] The immediate reaction of the media, fans, and players alike was negative, with many describing the despised uniforms as pajama-like.

Notable transactions

1979 Game Log

Legend
 Phillies win
 Phillies loss
 
 Postponement
BoldPhillies team member
|- style="background:#fbb"| 1 || April 6 || @ Cardinals || 1–8 || John Denny (1–0) || Steve Carlton (0–1) || None || 40,526 || 0–1|- style="background:#fbb"| 2 || April 7 || @ Cardinals || 2–3 || Pete Vuckovich (1–0) || Ron Reed (0–1) || None || 15,294 || 0–2|- style="background:#fffdd0"| 3 || April 8 || @ Cardinals || 2–2 (5) || None || None || None || 20,055 || 0–2|- style="background:#bbb"| – || April 9 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[27] Makeup: April 10|- style="background:#bfb"| 4 || April 10 || Pirates || 7–3 || Dick Ruthven (1–0) || Enrique Romo (0–2) || None || 48,235 || 1–2|- style="background:#bfb"| 5 || April 11 || Pirates || 5–4 || Steve Carlton (1–1) || Bert Blyleven (0–1) || None || 26,281 || 2–2|- style="background:#fbb"| 6 || April 12 || @ Mets || 2–3 || Pat Zachry (2–0) || Randy Lerch (0–1) || None || 8,719 || 2–3|- style="background:#bbb"| – || April 14 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[28] Makeup: August 2 as a traditional double-header|- style="background:#bfb"| 7 || April 15 (1) || @ Mets || 3–2 || Dick Ruthven (2–0) || Craig Swan (1–1) || Tug McGraw (1) || see 2nd game || 3–3|- style="background:#bfb"| 8 || April 15 (2) || @ Mets || 6–3 || Nino Espinosa (1–0) || Neil Allen (0–1) || Ron Reed (1) || 18,401 || 4–3|- style="background:#bbb"| – || April 16 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[29] Makeup: August 3 as a traditional double-header|- style="background:#bfb"| 9 || April 17 || @ Pirates || 13–2 || Steve Carlton (2–1) || Bert Blyleven (0–2) || None || 7,739 || 5–3|- style="background:#bfb"| 10 || April 18 || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Randy Lerch (1–1) || Don Robinson (1–1) || None || 12,195 || 6–3|- style="background:#bfb"| 11 || April 20 || Mets || 8–0 || Dick Ruthven (3–0) || Craig Swan (1–2) || None || 33,253 || 7–3|- style="background:#bfb"| 12 || April 21 || Mets || 3–0 || Nino Espinosa (2–0) || Neil Allen (0–2) || Tug McGraw (2) || 31,851 || 8–3|- style="background:#fbb"| 13 || April 22 || Mets || 2–4 || Jesse Orosco (1–0) || Steve Carlton (2–2) || Skip Lockwood (2) || 35,020 || 8–4|- style="background:#bfb"| 14 || April 23 || Dodgers || 4–3 (10) || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Lance Rautzhan (0–2) || None || 32,826 || 9–4|- style="background:#bfb"| 15 || April 24 || Dodgers || 7–6 (10) || Ron Reed (1–1) || Jerry Reuss (1–2) || None || 31,140 || 10–4|- style="background:#bfb"| 16 || April 25 || Dodgers || 5–4 || Ron Reed (2–1) || Rick Sutcliffe (1–1) || None || 34,303 || 11–4|- style="background:#bfb"| 17 || April 27 || Padres || 2–0 || Nino Espinosa (3–0) || Gaylord Perry (2–1) || None || 28,522 || 12–4|- style="background:#fbb"| 18 || April 28 || Padres || 0–5 || John D'Acquisto (2–1) || Steve Carlton (2–3) || None || 31,633 || 12–5|- style="background:#bfb"| 19 || April 29 || Padres || 4–3 || Ron Reed (3–1) || Rollie Fingers (1–2) || None || 50,722 || 13–5|- style="background:#bfb"| 20 || April 30 || Giants || 4–1 || Dick Ruthven (4–0) || Philip Nastu (0–1) || Tug McGraw (3) || 29,169 || 14–5|-|- style="background:#fbb"| 21 || May 1 || Giants || 0–7 || Bob Knepper (2–2) || Nino Espinosa (3–1) || None || 29,048 || 14–6|- style="background:#fbb"| 22 || May 3 || @ Dodgers || 2–5 || Rick Sutcliffe (2–2) || Steve Carlton (2–4) || None || 41,215 || 14–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 23 || May 4 || @ Dodgers || 5–2 || Randy Lerch (2–1) || Don Sutton (3–3) || None || 42,717 || 15–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 24 || May 5 || @ Dodgers || 11–0 || Dick Ruthven (5–0) || Andy Messersmith (1–2) || None || 45,169 || 16–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 25 || May 6 || @ Dodgers || 4–0 || Nino Espinosa (4–1) || Doug Rau (0–4) || None || 42,184 || 17–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 26 || May 7 || @ Padres || 11–6 || Steve Carlton (3–4) || Bob Owchinko (0–1) || Rawly Eastwick (1) || 20,766 || 18–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 27 || May 8 || @ Padres || 9–8 (12) || Jim Kaat (1–0) || John D'Acquisto (2–3) || None || 12,288 || 19–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 28 || May 9 || @ Padres || 2–0 || Dick Ruthven (6–0) || Eric Rasmussen (0–3) || None || 15,606 || 20–7|- style="background:#bfb"| 29 || May 10 || @ Padres || 3–2 || Nino Espinosa (5–1) || Gaylord Perry (3–3) || Ron Reed (2) || 17,208 || 21–7|- style="background:#fbb"| 30 || May 11 || @ Giants || 1–2 || Bob Knepper (3–2) || Steve Carlton (3–5) || Gary Lavelle (4) || 22,860 || 21–8|- style="background:#fbb"| 31 || May 12 || @ Giants || 1–4 || Ed Halicki (3–3) || Randy Lerch (2–2) || None || 23,836 || 21–9|- style="background:#bfb"| 32 || May 13 || @ Giants || 12–3 || Ron Reed (4–1) || Vida Blue (6–3) || None || 32,585 || 22–9|- style="background:#fbb"| 33 || May 15 || @ Cubs || 1–7 || Lynn McGlothen (5–4) || Nino Espinosa (5–2) || None || 13,834 || 22–10|- style="background:#bfb"| 34 || May 16 || @ Cubs || 13–0 || Steve Carlton (4–5) || Rick Reuschel (2–5) || None || 18,015 || 23–10|- style="background:#bfb"| 35 || May 17 || @ Cubs || 23–22 (10) || Rawly Eastwick (1–0) || Bruce Sutter (1–1) || None || 14,952 || 24–10|- style="background:#fbb"| 36 || May 18 || Expos || 3–5 || Stan Bahnsen (1–1) || Dick Ruthven (6–1) || Elías Sosa (4) || 31,481 || 24–11|- style="background:#fbb"| 37 || May 19 || Expos || 5–10 || Rudy May (2–0) || Rawly Eastwick (1–1) || Dan Schatzeder (1) || 33,212 || 24–12|- style="background:#fbb"| 38 || May 20 || Expos || 6–10 || Stan Bahnsen (2–1) || Nino Espinosa (5–3) || Elías Sosa (5) || 48,631 || 24–13|- style="background:#bfb"| 39 || May 21 || Cardinals || 5–3 || Steve Carlton (5–5) || John Denny (3–3) || None || 28,192 || 25–13|- style="background:#bfb"| 40 || May 22 || Cardinals || 3–1 || Tug McGraw (2–0) || Bob Forsch (1–4) || None || 33,379 || 26–13|- style="background:#fbb"| 41 || May 23 || Cardinals || 1–3 || Silvio Martínez (2–1) || Dick Ruthven (6–2) || Mark Littell (3) || 32,349 || 26–14|- style="background:#fbb"| 42 || May 25 || Cubs || 0–3 || Lynn McGlothen (6–5) || Nino Espinosa (5–4) || Bruce Sutter (8) || 34,456 || 26–15|- style="background:#fbb"| 43 || May 26 || Cubs || 1–4 || Dennis Lamp (4–1) || Larry Christenson (0–1) || Dick Tidrow (3) || 32,313 || 26–16|- style="background:#bfb"| 44 || May 27 || Cubs || 6–4 || Steve Carlton (6–5) || Bill Caudill (0–1) || None || 47,087 || 27–16|- style="background:#fbb"| 45 || May 28 || Cubs || 1–4 || Dick Tidrow (3–1) || Randy Lerch (2–3) || Bruce Sutter (9) || 51,381 || 27–17|- style="background:#fbb"| 46 || May 29 || @ Expos || 0–9 || Steve Rogers (5–2) || Dick Ruthven (6–3) || None || 32,078 || 27–18|- style="background:#fbb"| 47 || May 30 || @ Expos || 0–2 || Bill Lee (5–2) || Nino Espinosa (5–5) || None || 21,761 || 27–19|- style="background:#fbb"| 48 || May 31 || @ Expos || 0–1 || Scott Sanderson (4–3) || Larry Christenson (0–2) || None || 22,388 || 27–20|-|- style="background:#fbb"| 49 || June 1 || @ Reds || 2–4 || Doug Bair (3–0) || Steve Carlton (6–6) || Pedro Borbón (2) || 48,968 || 27–21|- style="background:#fbb"| 50 || June 2 || @ Reds || 2–4 || Mike LaCoss (6–0) || Randy Lerch (2–4) || Doug Bair (7) || 37,907 || 27–22|- style="background:#bfb"| 51 || June 3 (1) || @ Reds || 6–4 || Ron Reed (5–1) || Pedro Borbón (2–2) || Tug McGraw (4) || see 2nd game || 28–22|- style="background:#fbb"| 52 || June 3 (2) || @ Reds || 2–12 || Tom Hume (4–4) || Jim Lonborg (0–1) || None || 50,262 || 28–23|- style="background:#fbb"| 53 || June 4 || @ Astros || 0–3 || Randy Niemann (2–0) || Larry Christenson (0–3) || None || 19,062 || 28–24|- style="background:#bfb"| 54 || June 5 || @ Astros || 8–0 || Steve Carlton (7–6) || Rick Williams (2–2) || None || 28,244 || 29–24|- style="background:#fbb"| 55 || June 6 || @ Astros || 3–4 || Joe Sambito (3–2) || Ron Reed (5–2) || Bert Roberge (2) || 28,955 || 29–25|- style="background:#fbb"| 56 || June 8 || Braves || 5–11 (10) || Gene Garber (3–7) || Ron Reed (5–3) || None || 41,136 || 29–26|- style="background:#bfb"| 57 || June 9 || Braves || 9–3 || Larry Christenson (1–3) || Mickey Mahler (2–6) || None || 38,035 || 30–26|- style="background:#fbb"| 58 || June 10 || Braves || 3–10 || Phil Niekro (7–9) || Steve Carlton (7–7) || None || 58,707 || 30–27|- style="background:#bfb"| 59 || June 11 || Astros || 4–2 || Randy Lerch (3–4) || J. R. Richard (6–5) || None || 31,085 || 31–27|- style="background:#bfb"| 60 || June 12 || Astros || 4–0 || Nino Espinosa (6–5) || Rick Williams (2–3) || None || 34,177 || 32–27|- style="background:#fbb"| 61 || June 13 || Astros || 3–4 || Joe Niekro (10–2) || Dick Ruthven (6–4) || None || 33,627 || 32–28|- style="background:#fbb"| 62 || June 15 || Reds || 3–6 || Tom Seaver (4–5) || Larry Christenson (1–4) || None || 50,222 || 32–29|- style="background:#bfb"| 63 || June 16 || Reds || 4–3 || Tug McGraw (3–0) || Doug Bair (3–1) || None || 50,224 || 33–29|- style="background:#bfb"| 64 || June 17 || Reds || 9–3 || Randy Lerch (4–4) || Doug Bair (3–2) || None || 46,153 || 34–29|- style="background:#fbb"| 65 || June 18 || @ Braves || 5–10 || Rick Matula (4–5) || Nino Espinosa (6–6) || None || 9,394 || 34–30|- style="background:#fbb"| 66 || June 19 || @ Braves || 4–10 || Phil Niekro (8–9) || Larry Christenson (1–5) || None || 8,146 || 34–31|- style="background:#bfb"| 67 || June 20 || @ Braves || 10–4 || Steve Carlton (8–7) || Eddie Solomon (3–3) || None || 8,681 || 35–31|- style="background:#fbb"| 68 || June 22 || @ Expos || 5–6 || Ross Grimsley (7–4) || Randy Lerch (4–5) || Elías Sosa (7) || 40,729 || 35–32|- style="background:#fbb"| 69 || June 23 || @ Expos || 0–3 || Steve Rogers (7–4) || Nino Espinosa (6–7) || None || 24,439 || 35–33|- style="background:#bfb"| 70 || June 24 || @ Expos || 5–2 || Larry Christenson (2–5) || Bill Lee (7–4) || Tug McGraw (5) || 41,593 || 36–33|- style="background:#fbb"| 71 || June 25 || @ Cubs || 2–8 || Lynn McGlothen (8–6) || Steve Carlton (8–8) || None || 27,246 || 36–34|- style="background:#bfb"| 72 || June 26 || @ Cubs || 5–3 || Dick Ruthven (7–4) || Donnie Moore (1–3) || Tug McGraw (6) || 35,970 || 37–34|- style="background:#fbb"| 73 || June 27 || @ Cubs || 4–11 || Mike Krukow (5–5) || Randy Lerch (4–6) || None || 29,858 || 37–35|- style="background:#bfb"| 74 || June 29 (1) || @ Cardinals || 8–7 || Kevin Saucier (1–0) || Bob Forsch (3–8) || Tug McGraw (7) || see 2nd game || 38–35|- style="background:#fbb"| 75 || June 29 (2) || @ Cardinals || 1–7 || Pete Vuckovich (7–4) || Larry Christenson (2–6) || None || 29,300 || 38–36|- style="background:#bfb"| 76 || June 30 || @ Cardinals || 6–4 (10) || Ron Reed (6–3) || George Frazier (0–1) || Tug McGraw (8) || 30,960 || 39–36|-|- style="background:#fbb"| 77 || July 1 (1) || @ Cardinals || 7–13 || Mark Littell (5–2) || Tug McGraw (3–1) || None || see 2nd game || 39–37|- style="background:#fbb"| 78 || July 1 (2) || @ Cardinals || 1–2 || Mark Littell (6–2) || Randy Lerch (4–7) || None || 41,903 || 39–38|- style="background:#bfb"| 79 || July 2 || Mets || 6–2 || Nino Espinosa (7–7) || Dock Ellis (1–6) || None || 29,142 || 40–38|- style="background:#bfb"| 80 || July 3 || Mets || 4–2 || Warren Brusstar (1–0) || Wayne Twitchell (3–2) || Tug McGraw (9) || 56,285 || 41–38|- style="background:#bfb"| 81 || July 4 || Mets || 1–0 || Steve Carlton (9–8) || Andy Hassler (2–4) || None || 40,215 || 42–38|- style="background:#fbb"| 82 || July 5 || Mets || 2–3 || Craig Swan (8–6) || Dickie Noles (0–1) || None || 28,720 || 42–39|- style="background:#bfb"| 83 || July 6 || Giants || 6–1 || Nino Espinosa (8–7) || John Curtis (4–5) || None || 36,097 || 43–39|- style="background:#fbb"| 84 || July 7 || Giants || 6–8 || Pedro Borbón (4–2) || Ron Reed (6–4) || None || 42,047 || 43–40|- style="background:#bfb"| 85 || July 8 || Giants || 5–3 || Steve Carlton (10–8) || Bob Knepper (6–3) || None || 41,387 || 44–40|- style="background:#bfb"| 86 || July 9 || Giants || 4–2 || Dickie Noles (1–1) || Vida Blue (7–7) || Warren Brusstar (1) || 38,353 || 45–40|- style="background:#bfb"| 87 || July 10 || Padres || 6–5 || Doug Bird (1–0) || Rollie Fingers (7–6) || None || 30,234 || 46–40|- style="background:#fbb"| 88 || July 11 || Padres || 3–7 || John D'Acquisto (6–5) || Randy Lerch (4–8) || None || 35,248 || 46–41|- style="background:#bfb"| 89 || July 12 || Padres || 4–3 || Steve Carlton (11–8) || Rollie Fingers (7–7) || Tug McGraw (10) || 33,501 || 47–41|- style="background:#bfb"| 90 || July 13 || Dodgers || 3–2 || Dickie Noles (2–1) || Rick Sutcliffe (8–8) || Tug McGraw (11) || 46,542 || 48–41|- style="background:#bfb"| 91 || July 14 || Dodgers || 10–7 || Nino Espinosa (9–7) || Don Sutton (7–11) || Tug McGraw (12) || 40,602 || 49–41|- style="background:#bfb"| 92 || July 15 || Dodgers || 10–3 || Randy Lerch (5–8) || Bob Welch (4–6) || Rawly Eastwick (2) || 47,315 || 50–41|- style="background:#bbcaff;"| – || July 17 ||colspan="7" |1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at the Kingdome in Seattle|- style="background:#fbb"| 93 || July 19 || @ Giants || 0–1 || John Curtis (6–5) || Dickie Noles (2–2) || None || 20,732 || 50–42|- style="background:#bfb"| 94 || July 20 || @ Giants || 6–4 || Randy Lerch (6–8) || Tom Griffin (4–5) || Ron Reed (3) || 21,110 || 51–42|- style="background:#fbb"| 95 || July 21 || @ Giants || 1–4 || Bob Knepper (7–4) || Steve Carlton (11–9) || None || 25,386 || 51–43|- style="background:#bfb"| 96 || July 22 || @ Padres || 5–2 || Nino Espinosa (10–7) || John D'Acquisto (6–7) || Tug McGraw (13) || 23,308 || 52–43|- style="background:#fbb"| 97 || July 23 || @ Padres || 5–6 || Rollie Fingers (8–7) || Ron Reed (6–5) || None || 16,785 || 52–44|- style="background:#fbb"| 98 || July 24 || @ Dodgers || 3–15 || Burt Hooton (9–7) || Randy Lerch (6–9) || None || 39,336 || 52–45|- style="background:#fbb"| 99 || July 25 || @ Dodgers || 8–16 || Rick Sutcliffe (9–8) || Dick Ruthven (7–5) || None || 34,370 || 52–46|- style="background:#fbb"| 100 || July 27 || Cardinals || 0–5 || Bob Forsch (4–9) || Nino Espinosa (10–8) || None || 40,792 || 52–47|- style="background:#fbb"| 101 || July 28 || Cardinals || 4–5 || Mark Littell (7–3) || Ron Reed (6–6) || None || 40,063 || 52–48|- style="background:#fbb"| 102 || July 29 || Cardinals || 5–6 || Pete Vuckovich (10–7) || Randy Lerch (6–10) || None || 38,069 || 52–49|- style="background:#bfb"| 103 || July 30 || Cubs || 5–4 (10) || Ron Reed (7–6) || Bruce Sutter (4–3) || None || 37,151 || 53–49|- style="background:#bfb"| 104 || July 31 || Cubs || 4–1 || Nino Espinosa (11–8) || Mike Krukow (8–6) || None || 37,412 || 54–49|-|- style="background:#bfb"| 105 || August 1 || @ Mets || 9–6 || Dickie Noles (3–2) || Dock Ellis (2–9) || Rawly Eastwick (3) || 12,295 || 55–49|- style="background:#bfb"| 106 || August 2 (1) || @ Mets || 7–4 || Ron Reed (8–6) || Andy Hassler (4–5) || None || see 2nd game || 56–49|- style="background:#fbb"| 107 || August 2 (2) || @ Mets || 1–2 || Pete Falcone (3–7) || Kevin Saucier (1–1) || Neil Allen (2) || 15,319 || 56–50|- style="background:#fbb"| 108 || August 3 (1) || @ Pirates || 3–6 || Enrique Romo (7–3) || Tug McGraw (3–2) || None || see 2nd game || 56–51|- style="background:#fbb"| 109 || August 3 (2) || @ Pirates || 1–5 || Jim Bibby (8–2) || Larry Christenson (2–7) || None || 45,309 || 56–52|- style="background:#fbb"| 110 || August 4 || @ Pirates || 0–4 || John Candelaria (10–7) || Nino Espinosa (11–9) || None || 34,754 || 56–53|- style="background:#fbb"| 111 || August 5 (1) || @ Pirates || 8–12 || Kent Tekulve (5–6) || Rawly Eastwick (1–2) || None || see 2nd game || 56–54|- style="background:#fbb"| 112 || August 5 (2) || @ Pirates || 2–5 || Enrique Romo (8–3) || Dickie Noles (3–3) || Kent Tekulve (20) || 46,006 || 56–55|- style="background:#bfb"| 113 || August 7 || Expos || 4–2 || Larry Christenson (3–7) || Scott Sanderson (7–7) || None || 38,237 || 57–55|- style="background:#bfb"| 114 || August 8 || Expos || 4–3 || Ron Reed (9–6) || Elías Sosa (5–7) || None || 36,476 || 58–55|- style="background:#bfb"| 115 || August 9 || Expos || 6–4 || Nino Espinosa (12–9) || Bill Lee (10–9) || Rawly Eastwick (4) || 46,233 || 59–55|- style="background:#bfb"| 116 || August 10 (1) || Pirates || 4–3 (12) || Rawly Eastwick (2–2) || Grant Jackson (6–4) || None || see 2nd game || 60–55|- style="background:#fbb"| 117 || August 10 (2) || Pirates || 2–3 || Bruce Kison (7–6) || Randy Lerch (6–11) || Kent Tekulve (21) || 63,346 || 60–56|- style="background:#fbb"| 118 || August 11 || Pirates || 11–14 || Enrique Romo (9–3) || Rawly Eastwick (2–3) || Kent Tekulve (22) || 51,118 || 60–57|- style="background:#bbb"| – || August 12 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[30] [31] Makeup: September 19 as a traditional double-header|- style="background:#fbb"| 119 || August 13 || Pirates || 1–9 || Jim Bibby (9–2) || Larry Christenson (3–8) || None || 43,111 || 60–58|- style="background:#fbb"| 120 || August 14 || @ Reds || 1–2 (10) || Tom Hume (7–6) || Steve Carlton (11–10) || None || 38,442 || 60–59|- style="background:#bfb"| 121 || August 15 || @ Reds || 3–2 || Nino Espinosa (13–9) || Fred Norman (10–9) || None || 36,678 || 61–59|- style="background:#bfb"| 122 || August 17 || @ Astros || 5–2 || Randy Lerch (7–11) || Frank LaCorte (1–1) || None || 33,782 || 62–59|- style="background:#bfb"| 123 || August 18 || @ Astros || 1–0 || Larry Christenson (4–8) || J. R. Richard (12–12) || Ron Reed (4) || 37,735 || 63–59|- style="background:#bfb"| 124 || August 19 || @ Astros || 3–2 || Steve Carlton (12–10) || Joaquín Andújar (12–9) || None || 30,631 || 64–59|- style="background:#fbb"| 125 || August 20 || Braves || 2–5 || Phil Niekro (16–16) || Ron Reed (9–7) || Gene Garber (20) || 35,156 || 64–60|- style="background:#fbb"| 126 || August 21 || Braves || 4–5 || Larry Bradford (1–0) || Rawly Eastwick (2–4) || Gene Garber (21) || 30,234 || 64–61|- style="background:#fbb"| 127 || August 22 || Braves || 3–4 || Eddie Solomon (5–10) || Larry Christenson (4–9) || Gene Garber (22) || 30,349 || 64–62|- style="background:#bfb"| 128 || August 24 || Astros || 5–3 || Steve Carlton (13–10) || Joaquín Andújar (12–10) || None || 32,124 || 65–62|- style="background:#fbb"| 129 || August 25 || Astros || 1–3 || Joe Niekro (18–7) || Nino Espinosa (13–10) || Joe Sambito (16) || 43,109 || 65–63|- style="background:#fbb"| 130 || August 26 || Astros || 1–4 || Pete Ladd (1–0) || Kevin Saucier (1–2) || Joe Sambito (17) || 32,559 || 65–64|- style="background:#fbb"| 131 || August 27 || Reds || 2–4 || Tom Hume (9–6) || Larry Christenson (4–10) || None || 28,421 || 65–65|- style="background:#fbb"| 132 || August 28 || Reds || 2–5 || Frank Pastore (3–6) || Steve Carlton (13–11) || Tom Hume (11) || 31,113 || 65–66|- style="background:#fbb"| 133 || August 29 || Reds || 6–7 || Mario Soto (2–2) || Kevin Saucier (1–3) || Doug Bair (16) || 30,133 || 65–67|- style="background:#bfb"| 134 || August 31 || @ Braves || 6–2 (6) || Doug Bird (2–0) || Tony Brizzolara (6–9) || None || 6,009 || 66–67|-|- style="background:#bfb"| 135 || September 1 || @ Braves || 6–4 || Larry Christenson (5–10) || Phil Niekro (17–18) || Ron Reed (5) || 16,990 || 67–67|- style="background:#bfb"| 136 || September 2 || @ Braves || 2–1 (10) || Ron Reed (10–7) || Joey McLaughlin (4–3) || None || 10,040 || 68–67|- style="background:#bfb"| 137 || September 3 (1) || @ Pirates || 2–0 || Steve Carlton (14–11) || Bert Blyleven (11–5) || Tug McGraw (14) || see 2nd game || 69–67|- style="background:#fbb"| 138 || September 3 (2) || @ Pirates || 3–7 || Jim Rooker (3–6) || Randy Lerch (7–12) || Kent Tekulve (25) || 43,444 || 69–68|- style="background:#bbb"| – || September 5 || Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[32] Makeup: September 6 as a traditional double-header|- style="background:#fbb"| 139 || September 6 (1) || Mets || 3–5 || Ed Glynn (1–2) || Nino Espinosa (13–11) || Andy Hassler (2) || see 2nd game || 69–69|- style="background:#bfb"| 140 || September 6 (2) || Mets || 2–1 || Randy Lerch (8–12) || Pete Falcone (5–12) || Rawly Eastwick (5) || 21,091 || 70–69|- style="background:#fbb"| 141 || September 7 || @ Cubs || 3–4 || Dennis Lamp (11–8) || Tug McGraw (3–3) || None || 10,359 || 70–70|- style="background:#bfb"| 142 || September 8 || @ Cubs || 9–8 || Rawly Eastwick (3–4) || Bruce Sutter (4–5) || None || 20,767 || 71–70|- style="background:#fbb"| 143 || September 9 || @ Cubs || 2–15 || Rick Reuschel (17–9) || Kevin Saucier (1–4) || None || 20,922 || 71–71|- style="background:#bfb"| 144 || September 11 || @ Mets || 5–2 || Nino Espinosa (14–11) || Pete Falcone (5–13) || Rawly Eastwick (6) || 4,713 || 72–71|- style="background:#bfb"| 145 || September 12 || @ Mets || 4–0 || Randy Lerch (9–12) || Craig Swan (12–12) || None || 4,158 || 73–71|- style="background:#bfb"| 146 || September 13 || @ Mets || 2–1 || Steve Carlton (15–11) || Juan Berenguer (0–1) || Tug McGraw (15) || 3,890 || 74–71|- style="background:#fbb"| 147 || September 14 || Cubs || 0–2 (10) || Bruce Sutter (5–6) || Ron Reed (10–8) || None || 20,838 || 74–72|- style="background:#bfb"| 148 || September 15 || Cubs || 8–1 || Dan Larson (1–0) || Lynn McGlothen (11–13) || None || 33,042 || 75–72|- style="background:#bfb"| 149 || September 16 || Cubs || 4–3 || Ron Reed (11–8) || Dick Tidrow (12–5) || None || 30,261 || 76–72|- style="background:#bfb"| 150 || September 17 || @ Cardinals || 7–5 || Steve Carlton (16–11) || Darold Knowles (2–5) || Tug McGraw (16) || 6,479 || 77–72|- style="background:#bfb"| 151 || September 18 || @ Cardinals || 5–3 (10) || Tug McGraw (4–3) || Dan O'Brien (1–1) || None || 7,340 || 78–72|- style="background:#fbb"| 152 || September 19 (1) || Pirates || 6–9 || Kent Tekulve (10–7) || Rawly Eastwick (3–5) || Grant Jackson (14) || see 2nd game || 78–73|- style="background:#bfb"| 153 || September 19 (2) || Pirates || 6–5 || Jack Kucek (1–0) || Enrique Romo (10–5) || Kevin Saucier (1) || 30,566 || 79–73|- style="background:#bfb"| 154 || September 20 || Pirates || 2–1 || Randy Lerch (10–12) || Kent Tekulve (10–8) || None || 16,299 || 80–73|- style="background:#bbb"| – || September 21 || Expos || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);[33] Makeup: September 22 as a traditional double-header|- style="background:#bfb"| 155 || September 22 (1) || Expos || 9–8 (10) || Ron Reed (12–8) || Dale Murray (5–10) || None || see 2nd game || 81–73|- style="background:#fbb"| 156 || September 22 (2) || Expos || 2–8 || David Palmer (10–2) || Dickie Noles (3–4) || None || 35,186 || 81–74|- style="background:#fbb"| 157 || September 23 || Expos || 4–7 || Bill Lee (16–10) || Nino Espinosa (14–12) || None || 26,507 || 81–75|- style="background:#fbb"| 158 || September 24 || Cardinals || 2–7 || Pete Vuckovich (15–10) || Randy Lerch (10–13) || None || 17,694 || 81–76|- style="background:#fbb"| 159 || September 25 || Cardinals || 1–4 || John Fulgham (10–6) || Dan Larson (1–1) || None || 16,163 || 81–77|- style="background:#bfb"| 160 || September 26 || Cardinals || 11–5 || Steve Carlton (17–11) || Silvio Martínez (15–8) || None || 18,458 || 82–77|- style="background:#bfb"| 161 || September 28 || @ Expos || 3–2 (11) || Ron Reed (13–8) || Woodie Fryman (3–6) || None || 40,303 || 83–77|- style="background:#fbb"| 162 || September 29 || @ Expos || 2–3 || Elías Sosa (8–7) || Rawly Eastwick (3–6) || None || 50,332 || 83–78|- style="background:#bfb"| 163 || September 30 || @ Expos || 2–0 || Steve Carlton (18–11) || Steve Rogers (13–12) || None || 50,824 || 84–78|-| style="text-align:left;" |

The September 20, 1979, game was protested by the Phillies in the bottom of the sixth inning.[34] The protest was later denied.[35]

Roster

1979 Philadelphia Phillies
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

      • (Hitting)

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C 119 398 114 .286 9 58
1B 163 628 208 .331 4 59
2B 118 431 112 .260 6 42
SS 147 539 130 .241 0 31
3B 160 541 137 .253 45 114
LF 137 452 114 .252 18 81
CF 148 548 154 .281 13 61
RF 151 582 163 .280 12 60

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
118 174 58 .333 0 15
95 141 42 .298 6 29
79 137 33 .241 1 12
79 78 18 .231 1 2
30 73 13 .178 0 6
53 71 20 .282 0 7
27 61 17 .279 0 12
31 54 11 .204 1 5
29 48 10 .208 0 9
14 48 18 .375 0 8
17 30 5 .167 0 3
12 19 2 .105 0 1
10 15 3 .200 0 1
13 9 1 .111 1 2

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
35 251.0 18 11 3.62 213
37 214.0 10 13 3.74 92
33 212.0 14 12 3.65 88
20 122.1 7 5 4.27 58
19 106.0 5 10 4.50 53
14 90.0 3 4 3.80 42
3 19.0 1 1 4.26 9

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
3 8.1 1 0 4.32 2
4 7.1 0 1 11.05 7

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGWLSVERASO
65 4 3 16 5.16 57
61 13 8 5 4.15 58
51 3 6 6 4.90 47
32 2 0 0 5.16 33
29 1 4 1 4.19 21
13 1 0 1 6.91 3
4 1 0 0 8.31 2
1 0 0 0 0.00 2
[36]

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Central Oregon[37]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Pitching holds key to Phillies' title defense . Hal Bock . The Free-Lance Star . March 27, 1979 . October 14, 2009 .
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/schneje01.shtml Jeff Schneider
  3. Web site: Carmelo Castillo Stats.
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rosepe01.shtml Pete Rose
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/charbjo01.shtml Joe Charboneau
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davisma01.shtml Mark Davis
  7. https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/trillma01.shtml Manny Trillo
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/morenjo01.shtml Jose Moreno
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/meoliru01.shtml Rudy Meoli
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/boitada01.shtml Dan Boitano
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/u/unserde01.shtml Del Unser
  12. http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/history/phi_history_ashburn.jsp The Official Site of The Philadelphia Phillies: History: Richie Ashburn
  13. Palm Beach Post. 1979 Apr 19.
  14. Web site: Box Score of Game played on Thursday, May 17, 1979, at Wrigley Field. October 13, 2009.
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1979-05-17 Standings and Games on Thursday, May 17, 1979
  16. Web site: The Ballplayers – Del Unser . baseballbiography.com . March 4, 2019 . mdy-all.
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1979-08-29 Standings and Games on Wednesday, August 29, 1979
  18. News: Phillies dismiss Ozark as manager . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . August 31, 1979 . October 14, 2009 .
  19. News: Phillies to select Dallas Green . The Bulletin . October 18, 1979 . October 14, 2009 .
  20. Web site: Okkonen . Mark . Dressed to the Nines: Uniform Database (1979) . National Baseball Hall of Fame . June 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080628150348/http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=nl_1979_philadelphia.gif&Entryid=1389. June 28, 2008 . live.
  21. Web site: Paul Lukas . Uni Watch: One and done. Uni Watch . ESPN.com. August 23, 2007 . October 13, 2009.
  22. Web site: Box Score of Game played on Saturday, May 19, 1979, at Veteran's Stadium . October 13, 2009.
  23. https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cruzto02.shtml Todd Cruz
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kaatji01.shtml Jim Kaat
  25. https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/smithro01.shtml Roy Smith
  26. https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lonboji01.shtml Jim Lonborg
  27. News: Feeney. Charley. Managing Phils Simple in Rainout: But Ozark Bristles as Bowa Suggests New Lineup. December 6, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 10, 1979. 13.
  28. News: The Majors. December 7, 2014. Pittsburgh Press. April 15, 1979. D2.
  29. News: Majors At A Glance. December 6, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 17, 1979. 18.
  30. News: Parascenzo. Marino. Phillie Fans Conceding NL East to Bucs. December 13, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 13, 1979. 17.
  31. News: Feeney. Charley. Ozark Snaps Silence After Buc Rainout. December 13, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 13, 1979. 17, 23.
  32. News: Majors At A Glance. December 12, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 6, 1979. 10.
  33. News: Whitley. Bob. Rain Falls on Expos in Philly. December 13, 2014. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 22, 1979. 9.
  34. Web site: Philadelphia Phillies 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 1. retrosheet.org. December 13, 2014. September 20, 1979. Keith Moreland's fly to LF was ruled a home run; the Pirates argued the call; the umpires huddled and HP umpire Doug Harvey overruled 3B umpire Eric Gregg, calling it a foul ball; Phillies manager Dallas Green argued with and was ejected by Harvey; Green threw equipment onto the field from the bench after the ejection and was fined; Mike Schmidt threw his helmet and was fined; Green protested the game; Moreland was called out on strikes[.].
  35. Web site: Sep 20, 1979, Pirates at Phillies Play by Play and Box Score. baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. December 13, 2014. September 20, 1979.
  36. Web site: 1979 Philadelphia Phillies Batting, Pitching and Fielding Statistics. Baseball Reference.com. January 26, 2021.
  37. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007

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