Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1989, Mike Schmidt retires from baseball.

"Two outs, Robby Thompson hits a ground ball between my legs and Will Clark follows with a grand slam. To me, that was 'the sign'. I decided right then - that was it, my final game."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1987, Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run.

"Let me go out on a limb and say that if I had played during that era, I would have taken steroids. We all have these things we deal with in life, and I'm surely not going to sit here and say to you guys, 'I wouldn't have done that.'" - to Bob Costas, July 2005

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1995, Mike Schmidt is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"If you're associated with the Philadelphia media or town, you look for negatives. I don't know if there's something about their upbringing or they have too many hoagies, or too much cream cheese." 

Alex Rodriguez

On this date in 2000, Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers with $252 million.

"If it is happening now (performance decline due to age) it won't be that easy. He will be making $30 million a year, guaranteed. For that amount of money, you aren't allowed to get old." - Mike Schmidt

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1982, Mike Schmidt wins the NL MVP.

"Philadelphia is the only city where you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1995, Mike Schmidt is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"It isn't that hard to get RBI's when you're hitting home runs. You generally get at least one."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1989, Mike Schmidt retires from baseball.

"Two outs, Robby Thompson hits a ground ball between my legs and Will Clark follows with a grand slam. To me, that was "the sign". I decided right then - that was it, my final game."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1987, Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run.

"Let me go out on a limb and say that if I had played during that era, I would have taken steroids. We all have these things we deal with in life, and I'm surely not going to sit here and say to you guys, 'I wouldn't have done that.'" - to Bob Costas, July 2005 

Mike Schmidit

On this date in 1995, Mike Schmidt is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"I can make more in two hours at a card show than I can as a minor league manager all year."

Alex Rodriguez

On this date in 2000, Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million.

"If it is happening now (performance decline due to age) it won't be that easy. He will be making $30 million a year, guaranteed. For that amount of money, you aren't allowed to get old." - Mike Schmidt

Pete Rose

On this date in 1973, Pete Rose is named the NL MVP after batting .338 with 230 hits.

"I told him (Pete Rose Jr.) who to watch. I said if you want to be a catcher, watch Johnny Bench. If you want to be a right-handed power hitter, watch Mike Schmidt. If you want to just be a hitter, watch me."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1981, Mike Schmidt wins the NL MVP.

"If you're associated with the Philadelphia media or town, you look for negatives. I don't know if there's something about their upbringing or they have too many hoagies, or too much cream cheese."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1995, Mike Schmidt is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"It isn't that hard to get RBI's when you're hitting home runs. You generally get at least one."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1989, Mike Schmidt retires from baseball. "May of 1989, Candlestick Park.

"Two outs, Robby Thompson hits a ground ball between my legs and Will Clark follows with a grand slam. To me, that was "the sign". I decided right then - that was it, my final game."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1987, Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run.

"Let me go out on a limb and say that if I had played during that era, I would have taken steroids. We all have these things we deal with in life, and I'm surely not going to sit here and say to you guys, 'I wouldn't have done that.'" - to Bob Costas, July 2005

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1981, the Phillies sign Mike Schmidt to a 6-year contract with $1.2 million per season.

"If you're associated with the Philadelphia media or town, you look for negatives. I don't know if there's something about their upbringing or they have too many hoagies, or too much cream cheese.'

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1981, Mike Schmidt is named the NL MVP after hitting .316 with 31 home runs and 91 rbis.

"Philadelphia is the only city where you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1995, Mike Schmidt is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"It isn't that hard to get RBI's when you're hitting home runs. You generally get at least one."

Mike Schmidt

On this date in 1989, Mike Schmidt retires.

"I could ask the Phillies to keep me on to add to my statistics, but my love for the game won't let me do that."

Mike Schmidt

Born on today's date, Mike Schmidt.

"Philadelphia is the only city where you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day."