1964 April 14

First-baseman Roy Sievers hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first to jump-start the Phillies season – career home run #303 for Sievers.

With one out in the bottom of the first:

Johnny Callison and Richie Allen drew back-to-back walks.

Roy Sievers crushed a home run (#1) to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

And veteran Johnny Klippstein picked up the win in relief as the Phillies beat the Mets 5-3 in front of 21,016 at Connie Mack Stadium on Opening Day.

Johnny Klippstein (1-0) baffled the Mets over the final 4^1/3 innings ─ striking out four while walking no one ─ to pick up the 5-3 victory.

Al Jackson (0-1) took the loss.

OLD-SCHOOL BASEBALL

Manager Gene Mauch replaced starter Dennis Bennett in the top of the fifth:

While the Phillies were on top 4-2.
Because he believed that Bennett had lost his stuff and hit a wild streak.
And he didn’t want to relinquish the lead.

Which meant that Bennett wouldn’t be credited with the win. But Mauch didn’t care. He was more concerned with team goals than personal goals.

And please note that Klippstein threw the last 4^1/3 innings. There was no automatic insertion of a set-up man in the eighth or a closer in the ninth. Klippstein was pitching well. Therefore, there was no reason to replace him.

Too bad managers don’t do that today – or perhaps the Phillies would’ve won the first two games of this 2016 season. Instead, the bullpen blew both 2-1 leads in the ninth inning and the Phillies lost both games.

1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant was published two years ago. But if you’re interested in purchasing the book, don’t do it now. I’m in the final stages of doing some trimming. It’ll be ready soon. I’ll let you know when.

In addition to being the official Eagles Outsider for BlameMyFather.com, Barry Bowe is also the author of: