Mike Schmidt Triple Crown
Hall of Fame third baseman, 12-time All-Star, three-time NL MVP, and 10-time Gold Glove winner who led the Phillies to their first World Series title in 1980.
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and a three-time winner of the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award (MVP), and he was known for his combination of power hitting and strong defense. As a hitter, he compiled 548 home runs and 1,595 runs batted in (RBIs), and led the NL in home runs eight times and in RBIs four times. As a fielder, Schmidt won the National League Gold Glove Award for third basemen ten times. Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 in his first year of eligibility, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history.
- Player
- Mike Schmidt
- Position
- Third Base
- Season
- 1980
- League
- National League
- Achievement
- Triple Crown (Batting Average, Home Runs, RBIs)
- Team Outcome
- World Series Champions
Lore & Background
Having an unusual batting stance, Schmidt turned his back somewhat toward the pitcher and rocked his rear end back and forth while waiting for a pitch. By standing far back in the batter's box, he made it almost impossible to jam him by pitching inside. Teammate Pete Rose once said, 'To have his body, I'd trade him mine and my wife's, and I'd throw in some cash.'
In Their Own Story
The air inside Veterans Stadium hummed with a different kind of electricity on this particular afternoon in October. Schmidt stepped into the batter's box, the weight of the entire city resting on his shoulders. As he swung, the crack of the bat echoed like a gavel striking down a verdict: the era of waiting was over. The ball soared toward the left-field bleachers, a visual confirmation that 1980 belonged to Mike Schmidt and Philadelphia.
Reader's Guide
Schmidt's best season may have been the strike-shortened 1981 season. His 31 home runs were seven more than anyone else in the league. He also led the NL in runs scored, RBIs, total bases and walks, and set personal highs in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He won his second consecutive MVP award, this time with 96% of the vote. In 1980, Schmidt hit a career-high 48 home runs and led the league with 121 RBIs, making him a unanimous choice for the National League's Most Valuable Player Award. The Phillies defeated the Houston Astros in the 1980 National League Championship Series to reach the World Series for the third time in franchise history. Schmidt hit two homers and drove in seven runs against the Kansas City Royals, and the Phillies beat the Royals in six games to win the first World Series in franchise history, and Schmidt won the World Series MVP Award.
Did You Know?
- Schmidt was a lifeguard at the Philipps Aquatic Club, founded by his great-grandfather Charles A. Philipps in 1865.
- At age 5, Schmidt climbed a tree and was electrocuted when he touched a wire; his heart stopped and he fell, causing his heart to restart.
- Schmidt was drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the 1971 Major League Baseball draft, 30th overall.
- On June 10, 1974, Schmidt hit a ball off Houston Astros pitcher Claude Osteen that hit a public address speaker suspended 117 feet above and 329 feet away from home plate, falling into center field; by ground rules it re
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Mike Schmidt Triple Crown record?
He won the National League Triple Crown by leading all players in batting average, home runs, and RBIs during that season. This performance is widely considered one of the greatest single-season efforts in franchise history.
How does this record connect to the 1980 World Series title?
Yes, the Philadelphia Phillies captured their first World Series title since 1915 later that same year. Schmidt's offensive dominance was a crucial factor in securing the team's victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Why do fans consider this achievement important to Phillies history?
It represents the pinnacle of third-base excellence and silenced critics who doubted his consistency. The achievement cemented his legacy as the greatest player to ever wear the Phillies uniform.
Which categories did Mike Schmidt lead in during 1980?
He topped the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in simultaneously throughout the 1980 campaign. Winning all three major offensive categories is a rare feat that highlights his complete dominance at the plate.
What role did this season play in transforming the franchise?
This achievement served as the engine that drove Philadelphia from perennial contenders to baseball royalty during that era. It remains a singular and dominant feat that defines the golden age of Phillies baseball.
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