MLB Network documentary on Mike Schmidt

[NYRE2PECT]

Originally Posted by mchenrycards

The Phillies clinched the division in 1983 at Wrigley Field. If you have ever seen the visitors clubhouse at Wrigley you will know there is a flight of stairs the players must use to enter their clubhouse. I was fortunate to be at the top of those flight of stairs when the Phillies made their way from the field to celebrate and was part of the security detail inside the clubhouse while the celebration was in full swing. I remember like it was yesterday that Schmidt came running up the stairs and said to a teammate right in front of me that the win "will finally shut them ******* up". I found out later that the Phillies fans didn't expect this team to win and gave the players allot of crap and Schmidt just wanted to show the fans they were wrong. The several interactions I had with him over the years were cordial, he was not super social but if you said something to him he would respond in kind but I was a team employee. Those fans were brutal on him.

Awesome!!

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by whitesoxfan3579

Very annoying that I can’t stream this through my MLB subscription and have to wait for it to air again..

That app is trash. Doesn't even have a search function.

[Tom Oates]

Originally Posted by Bcr

Mike is the undisputable GOAT at 3rd base correct?

I don't think he is "undisputable" as many would argue Brooks Robinson and his 16 gold gloves.

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by Tom Oates

I don't think he is "undisputable" as many would argue Brooks Robinson and his 16 gold gloves.

Are you just talking about fielding?

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Tom Oates

I don't think he is "undisputable" as many would argue Brooks Robinson and his 16 gold gloves.

Yeah, but in terms of the total package, I think it's clear he's the GOAT at 3B. The only area he's lacking in is batting average. He was an elite defender, elite power hitter, and he got on base at an elite level. He was a solid base runner as well.

Schmidt's rankings among primary 3rd basemen since 1900 (at least 8,000 PA):

OBP: 5th
SLG%: 2nd
HR: 1st

Gold Gloves Awards: tied for 2nd

[awz50]

I think Adrian Beltre and Brett are right behind Schmidt, with Boggs just slightly behind.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by Noles939913

Then it’s pointless. One of the more interesting facets of his life was that he played fake nice his entire career.

I think a big reason he made the HOF so fast was that narrative. The writers and general public liked him and felt bad when he retired due to his eyesight issues. And that narrative made people think he would have gotten 3000 hits if he didn't retire early. Never mind that he was already in decline....

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

I’d watch that. I’m no Yankees historian, so I would be interested in knowing just why exactly he’s so beloved by their fans.

There's a lot of fans still around from the 70's. And he was a big part of those teams that won WS in that decade.

[Jimgantner]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Who do you guys think should be the next player to get a documentary?

We've already had so many great choices, from the The Kid, to The Cobra, to Donnie Baseball, to Maddux.

Perhaps Dale Murphy?

Has there ever been a reason given for Dale Murphys career drop off? Like his eyes went bad or something.

[erock28]

Always seemingly forgotten in Schmidt's legacy is he had to play on that God awful turf/concrete field at the Vet. Statistically he was a better hitter at home, but you can't convince me the constant aches and pains from not playing on grass those 81 games a year didn't hurt his total numbers.

I'm in the Schmidt is the GOAT 3B camp - it's amazing he put up a 5 or higher bWAR in 14 straight seasons, and was higher than 6 in all but one of those. Perennial MVP candidate with the bat, second best defensive third basemen ever behind Brooks.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Jimgantner

Has there ever been a reason given for Dale Murphys career drop off? Like his eyes went bad or something.

Bad knees was the only physical culprit...but I also think he was just one of those guys that aged quickly. Father Time catches up to everyone a bit different.