On This Date in Sports May 29, 1989: Schmidt Retires
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The Philadelphia Phillies are stunned when third baseman calls for an impromptu press conference before a game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium on Memorial Day. Schmidt had just two hits in his last 12 games, seeing his average drop to .203 had decided to retire. The 39-year-old who broke down in tears would be voted by the fans to start at third base for National League but declined to play in his 12th All-Star Game.
Michael Jack Schmidt was born on September 27, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio. After an All-American career at the University of Ohio, Schmidt was drafted in the second round of the 1971 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt made his debut at the end of the 1972 season, and struggled most of 1973, hitting just .196 while slugging 18 home runs.
In 1974, Mike Schmidt had a breakout season, raising his average nearly 90 points as he hit .282 and led the National League with 36 home runs, including a walk-off home run against Tug McGraw and the New York Mets on Opening Day as he was named an All-Star for the first time. As the Phillies began to become contenders, Mike Schmidt became the top star in Philadelphia, winning three straight Home Run crowns.
Mike Schmidt was also one of the top defensive third basemen in the league as he won 10 gold gloves in an 11-year stretch from 1976-1986. Mike Schmidt had his finest season in 1980, as he was named National League MVP while leading the league with a career-high 48 home runs and RBI with 121. That year he led the Phillies to their first World Championship, ending 97 years of frustration. Schmidt was on pace for an even better season in 1981, as he won second straight MVP and again led the National League in homers with 31 and RBI with 91 as the season was interrupted for two months by a player’s strike.
Mike Schmidt continued to tally up the home runs, leading the league three more times in 1983, 1984 and 1986 as he hit at least 31 homers in every season, but one between 1974-1987. After winning his third MVP and seventh home run crown in 1986, Mike Schmidt joined elite company with his 500th home run early in the 1987 season.
In 1988, Mike Schmidt was hampered by a rotator cuff injury and struggled to hit 12 home runs. As the 1989 season began Schmidt continued to struggle, over the first two months his batting average was down to .203 and he had just six home runs. Making matters worse he was in a prolonged slump getting just two hits in a 12-game stretch when he decided to hang up his cleats.
Mike Schmidt who was known as captain cool surprised fans with his emotional press conference and fans paid their ultimate respect, as he was chosen to start the National League All-Star Game. It was the 12th time he was named an All-Star. Though he was part of the ceremonies in Anaheim, Schmidt declined to play in the Mid-Summer Classic. When it was all said and done, Mike Schmidt was arguably the best third baseman of all-time with 548 career home runs as he went into the Hall of Fame in 1995.