On this day in 1961 the Milwaukee Braves hosted a doubleheader against the woeful Phillies. The Braves won game one 5-2, but when they lost the second game it was Philadelphia's first win in almost a month.
The Phillies entered play in the second game as losers of 23 consecutive games, an MLB record that stands to this day. They were also 1-28 in their last 29 contests. With a doubleheader split on this day they improved to 31-87 on the season, and held steady at 42 games back of first place in the National League.
As you might have expected from an unlikely winner, the Phillies were powered on this day by an unlikely hero: Catcher Clay Dalrymple went 3-for-3 with a walk in the victory. Even after his big day, he left the game hitting just .193 on the season.
This game was actually something of a turning point for an awful Phillies team. They entered the contest with a 30-87 record but won four straight and finished the season by going 17-20 in their final 37 games.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index and Brewerfan.net, happy birthday today to:
- Helena Brewer Ruben Ozuna, who turns 22.
- 1993-94 Brewer Tom Brunansky, who turns 53. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
- 1979 Brewer Lance Rautzhan, who turns 61.