At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 700th career home run
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Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 700th career home run

On July 21, 1973, At Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 700th career home run in the 3rd inning against Ken Brett of the Philadelphia Phillies, but the Braves lose the game, 8-4. The 39 year old is only the second player to reach that milestone, Babe Ruth reached…

Buzz Capra pitches four innings of no-hit relief against the Phillies after attended his dad’s funeral in Illinois.

Buzz Capra pitches four innings of no-hit relief against the Phillies after attended his dad’s funeral in Illinois.

On June 27, 1973 In the opener of a twin bill at Shea Stadium, Buzz Capra pitches four innings of no-hit relief against the Philadelphia Phillies to get the save for starter George Stone as the Mets beat the Phillies, 7-6. A few hours earlier, the 25 year-old right-handed reliever had attended his dad’s funeral…

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett hits a home run in the fourth consecutive game he pitches

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett hits a home run in the fourth consecutive game he pitches

On June 23, 1973, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett hits a home run in the fourth consecutive game he pitches, setting a major league record. Brett’s longball helps the Phillies to a 7-2 win over the Montreal Expos. He hit home runs on June 9th, 13th, and 18th: he will total 10 for his career.

bill-russell-ron-cey-steve-garvey-davey-lopes

The Los Angeles Dodgers infield of Steve Garvey (1B), Davey Lopes (2B), Ron Cey (3B) and Bill Russell (SS) plays together for the first time in a 16 – 3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The infield quartet will set a major league record for longevity by playing 8 1/2 years together.

On June 13 1973, The Los Angeles Dodgers infield of Steve Garvey (1B), Davey Lopes (2B), Ron Cey (3B) and Bill Russell (SS) plays together for the first time in a 16 – 3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The infield quartet will set a major league record for longevity by playing 8 1/2 years together.

Johnny Bench hits 3 homeruns off Steve Carlton for the second time

Johnny Bench hits 3 homeruns off Steve Carlton for the second time

On May 9, 1973, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench wins a battle of future Hall of Famers. For the second time in his career, the All-Star catcher hits three home runs against left-hander Steve Carlton. Bench finishes with seven RBIs to lead the Reds over the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-7. Bench homers in the 1st, walks…

Steve Carlton becomes the highest paid pitcher when he signs a contract with the Phillies for a reported $165,000

Steve Carlton becomes the highest paid pitcher when he signs a contract with the Phillies for a reported $165,000

Steve Carlton becomes the highest paid pitcher when he signs a contract with the Phillies for a reported $165,000. The 28 year-old southpaw, last season’s unanimous Cy Young Award winner, will lose a league-leading 20 games this season after posting a 27-10 record in the previous campaign for the last place team.

Dick Ruthven, Jim Sundberg, Donnie Moore and punter Ray Guy are choosen in draft

Dick Ruthven, Jim Sundberg, Donnie Moore and punter Ray Guy are choosen in draft

1973 – In the January amateur draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select P Dick Ruthven, the Texas Rangers take C Jim Sundberg, and the Chicago Cubs pick P Donnie Moore. The Cincinnati Reds pick Southern Mississippi punter Ray Guy in the third round, but he chooses the NFL instead.

Don Money is dealt by the Phillies to open up room for Mike Schmidt

Don Money is dealt by the Phillies to open up room for Mike Schmidt

In a seven-player trade, Don Money is dealt by the Phillies along with Bill Champion and John Vukovich to the Brewers in exchange for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson. The 25 year-old versatile infielder will spend over a decade with Milwaukee, becoming a four-time All-Star.