A Wise moment for the Phillies
Rick Wise delivers a pitch 54 years ago today in Cincinnati
Today marks the 54th anniversary of one of the greatest performances by a pitcher in baseball history as the Philadelphia Phillies’ Rick Wise – battling the flu in the process – homers twice and drives in three runs.
Oh, yes, he also no-hits the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 before a Wednesday night crowd of 13,329 at Riverfront Stadium.
Wise faces only 28 batters – one over the minimum, thanks to a walk to Dave Concepcion with one out in the sixth inning. He ends the game retiring Pete Rose on a line drive to third baseman John Vukovich.
Rick Wise hits a second homer during his no-hitter in Cincinnati
Wise wins 17 games – not to mention hits six homers – during the 1971 season for Philadelphia the Phillies trade him the following spring to St. Louis for future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.
At the time, the 1972 trade for Carlton is an unpopular one among the Philly masses, who see a fan favorite leave in return with a perceived malcontent in Carlton – how dare he ask the Cardinals for a raise! – taking the place of Wise.
No matter that Wise also is seeking a raise from the Phillies.
The Phillies’ fans quickly overcome that initial rage as Carlton goes on to win 241 games and four Cy Young Awards over the next 14-plus seasons with Philadelphia.
Wise does just fine, as well, winning 113 games over his final 11 seasons to finish his career in 1982 with 188 career victories, 138 complete games and 30 shutouts.
The post-game interview with Phillies broadcaster and Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn
Of course, no victory, no complete game and no shutout matches what Wise accomplishes 54 years ago today.
And Wise almost never accomplishes the feat as he wakes up that morning in Cincinnati feeling tired, achy and, well, flu ridden.
“I did not want to go the park. I just didn’t feel good,” Wise years later tells MLB.com.
“Warming up, I felt like the ball was stopping about halfway to the plate. I felt so weak, I thought I’d better locate my pitches or I’m not gonna be around long.”