Saturday, May 29, 2010

1985 Fleer #262 Al Oliver

Mets 3, Phillies 0
Game 46 - Thursday Night, May 27th in New York

I decided to refrain from posting any additional game summaries until the Phillies scored a run again. Thankfully, the scoreless streak ended last night.

I'll be brief. The Phillies did not score any runs for the third game in a row, being completely shut out in their 3-game series with the Mets. Cole Hamels pitched well, scattering 9 hits and allowing 2 earned runs in his 6+ innings of work. Shane Victorino went 3 for 4 in the game.

The last time the Phillies were shut out three games in a row was May 20th, 23rd and 24th, 1983, against the Padres (5-0) and the Dodgers (2-0, 3-0). The last time the Phils were completely shut out in a series was way back in August 1974 against the Houston Astros.

#0: Representing this inauspicious game is none other than #0 himself, Al Oliver. As Jim from Downington pointed out in the comments section of a previous post, Oliver was acquired by the Phils in August 1984 to hopefully provide a little spark from the first base position. He played in 28 games, hitting .312 with no home runs and 14 RBIs. Following the '84 season, Oliver was traded to the Dodgers for relief pitcher Pat Zachry. The Phils were determined to give more playing time to prospect Rick Schu at third base, so future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt would be shifted to first for the '85 season.

Two players have worn #00 for the Phillies - pitcher Omar Olivares in 1995 and pitcher Rick White in 2006.

2 comments:

Kevin said...

I just did a post for the 1982 Expos on my blog and Al Oliver was probably the best player on that team, so I posted a card of him. He looks about as excited to be playing for the Phillies as he did for those Expos. Must not have been a very happy dude.

Jim from Downingtown said...

Jim,

In 1984, I remember some media types referring to Oliver as "Batman", which I assumed was (in part) a commentary on his fielding prowess.