Ruth to Thome
Milestone home runs hit in Philadelphia
Professional baseball has been around Philadelphia dating back to 1883 when the Phillies became a member of the National League. In 1901, the Philadelphia Athletics became a charter member of the American League.
Significant milestone homers that have been hit in Philadelphia. Rewinding…….
400
September 2, 1927, Babe Ruth (New York Yankees), 1st inning off Rube Walberg of the A’s at Shibe Park . . . Attendance: listed as 20,000 . . . It marked the first time 400 HR had been reached . . . Babe hit 108 career homers against the A’s, second only to Detroit (123) . . . 68 came at Shibe Park, second only to the Polo Grounds (85) for an enemy park . . . Walberg yielded the most (17) among 216 pitchers.
April 20, 1966, Hank Aaron (Atlanta Braves), 9th inning off Bo Belinsky of the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium . . . Attendance: 6,855 . . . #399, 1st inning off Ray Culp . . . ATL first baseman, Lee Thomas.
June 14, 2004, Jim Thome (Phillies), 1st inning off Jose Acevedo of the Reds at Citizens Bank Park; rescheduled game from an April rain out . . . Attendance: 44,710 . . . A few days later bronze plaque was placed at the exact location of the historic blast, Section 147, Row 4, Seat 6.
500
September 24, 1940, Jimmie Foxx (Red Sox), 6th inning off George Caster of the A’s at Shibe Park, 1st game of a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader . . . Attendance: 1,500 . . . Joined Babe Ruth in the 500-HR Club . . . Began career at Shibe Park playing for the A’s. Hit 322 homers in that uniform (1925–35) . . . Ended 20-year career back at Shibe Park with the Phillies (1945). Seven of his 534 homers came with the Phillies . . . 181 home runs at Shibe Park, most of any player.
713
May 7, 2006, Barry Bonds (Giants), 6th inning off Jon Lieber of the Phillies . . . Last home run hit in Philadelphia . . . #744 that season was his last one against the Phillies (Lieber), May 5, 2007, at AT&T Park . . . 27 home runs at Veterans Stadium is most for a visiting player.
Mike Schmidt
His first home (September 16, 1972, Expos LHP Balor Moore) and last (#548, May 2, 1989, Astors LHP Jim Deshaies) came at Veterans Stadium. Each of his milestone home runs came on the road, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500.
Robin Roberts
Robbie surrendered his 400th home run as a Phillie on August 28, 1961 (Milwaukee’s Roy McMillan). It came at Connie Mack Stadium. He became the first pitcher to give up 400 home runs.
Sources: (2016) David Vincent, SABR; Elias Sports Bureau; (2020) baseball-reference.com
