With the Phillies taking part in what would become a down-to-the-wire divisional race, McCarver was signed on September 1, 1980 to return as a player. He would serve as a veteran voice in the clubhouse, a lefty pinch-hit bat, and emergency insurance at first base and catcher.
MLB flashback: Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley won 197 games and saved 390 over 24 seasons. The righty pitched in 1,071 games and threw 3,285.2 innings with 2,401 strikeouts. At the time of his retirement, Eck had appeared in more games than any pitcher in MLB history.
MLB Power Ranking: Independence Day
With these latest rankings there is not only a new team on top, but new teams ranking at the top of both the National and American Leagues. A pair of perennial contenders in each league, the NL's Saint Louis Cardinals and AL's New York Yankees, have each collapsed from fringe contention to a scramble now trying to save their seasons.
Phillies Phlashback: The Dave Cash trade
The Ken Brett for Dave Cash trade between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates on this very date 47 years ago proved to be a winner for both teams. Division and cross-state rivals dealing key players in their prime to one another.
Phillies 50: Forgotten 1973 – Ron Diorio and Dave Wallace
Ron Diorio and Dave Wallace share the 1973 pitching spot in this 'Phillies 50' series. Each had a brief playing career but Wallace became a longtime coach.
MATT VEASEY 