Scrapbook Sunday: April 6, 1991

1991 Upper Deck #769 Mitch Williams

In the weeks ahead, the Phillies will whittle down their roster from the current 6o-something players, including non-roster invitees, to an opening day size of 25. It's a fascinating time for baseball fans, and it's always fun to try and predict who will make the opening day roster and who will not.

In the Spring of 1991, the Phillies were looking to upgrade at the closer role. Roger McDowell shouldered most of the closer's load in 1990, saving 22 games and winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award in April and May. Joe Boever and Darrel Akerfelds also spent brief amounts of time closing games for the Phils. But general manager Lee Thomas wanted to upgrade and rumors started flying around he was talking to the Cubs about reliever Mitch Williams.

The day after Thomas called the deal "dead," the Phils got their man, trading Chuck McElroy and Bob Scanlan to the Cubs. Wild Thing would save 30 games in 1991, good enough for 3rd in the National League. McDowell would be traded to the Dodgers in July.