Wise Guy

[Edgy MD]

Today in 1971, Rick Wise hit two homeruns.

While pitching a no-hitter.  Against The Big Red Machine — or at least the 1971 version of The Big Red Machine, which was still a pretty potent bunch.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: June 23, 1971 | Baseball-Reference.com

Struck out a total of three guys doing it.

 

[Benjamin Grimm]

I remember learning about that from the back of a baseball card.

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Edgy MD]

I like how the back of the card lets you know he no-hit The Big Red Machine, and the pose on the front suggests he couldn't get Pete Rose's grandmother out.

[Frayed Knot]

The Cardinals were so impressed by Wise's feat that they traded for him a year and a half later even-up for some scrub named Steve Carlton .

OK, there was more to it than that. Both pitchers were coming off good seasons in 1971: Carlton = 20-5, 3.56 ERA; Wise: 17-14, 2.88. Wise had turned 26 late in the '71 campaign, Carlton would turn 27 that winter. But perhaps their biggest similarity is that both wanted more money in those pre-FA era days so both were at odds with their respective front office and threatening to 'hold out' as spring training was about to get underway.

The reaction by both clubs was something along the lines of, 'You guys can't tell us what to do cuz we hold all the power'  and so their solution was to trade them even-up for each other with each, in effect, saying, 'He's your headache now!' The trade was made on February 25th, 1972

Of course the deal lopsidedly favored the Phils as Carlton immediately rung up one of the greatest pitching seasons ever and outlasted Wise by is seasons on the back end on the way to the HoF even while not having a single friend among voting sportswriters. Wise had a nice career. But then there was Carlton's.

[whippoorwill]

3 hours ago, Edgy MD said:

Today in 1971, Rick Wise hit two homeruns.

While pitching a no-hitter.  Against The Big Red Machine — or at least the 1971 version of The Big Red Machine, which was still a pretty potent bunch.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: June 23, 1971 | Baseball-Reference.com

Struck out a total of three guys doing it.

 

 

3 hours ago, Edgy MD said:

Today in 1971, Rick Wise hit two homeruns.

While pitching a no-hitter.  Against The Big Red Machine — or at least the 1971 version of The Big Red Machine, which was still a pretty potent bunch.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: June 23, 1971 | Baseball-Reference.com

Struck out a total of three guys doing it.

 

In seventh grade I had a classmate who was in love with Rick Wise. I resented her because A) she was cuter than me and if Rick Wise ever met her he would immediately fall in love with her of course. And B) she was a Phillies fan and her favorite player (Rick Wise) was traded to the Phillies and C) (and most importantly) her dad got a job in Bryn Mar (sp) and they moved there, close to Philly. 
 

I figured Rick Wise would certainly be her next door neighbor and the rest of the Phillies at least close friends. With a 12 year old. But that was my mindset and I loved Rusty and Wayne Garrett and John Milner and I’d never ever ever get to meet them (I was Right!)

She never missed a chance to mention this Rick Wise game, and now 50 some years after my jealous resentment has waned, I realized was really quite a feat. 
 

I should look her up. 
probably married to Rick Wise’s son. 

[ashie62]

Great story

[whippoorwill]

2 hours ago, whippoorwill said:

 

In seventh grade I had a classmate who was in love with Rick Wise. I resented her because A) she was cuter than me and if Rick Wise ever met her he would immediately fall in love with her of course. And B) she was a Phillies fan and her favorite player (Rick Wise) was traded to the Phillies and C) (and most importantly) her dad got a job in Bryn Mar (sp) and they moved there, close to Philly. 
 

I figured Rick Wise would certainly be her next door neighbor and the rest of the Phillies at least close friends. With a 12 year old. But that was my mindset and I loved Rusty and Wayne Garrett and John Milner and I’d never ever ever get to meet them (I was Right!)

She never missed a chance to mention this Rick Wise game, and now 50 some years after my jealous resentment has waned, I realized was really quite a feat. 
 

I should look her up. 
probably married to Rick Wise’s son. 

I should amend this to say that yes, I did meet Rusty

[Edgy MD]

I spoke to Rusty and he said you were cuter.

[whippoorwill]

10 hours ago, Edgy MD said:

I spoke to Rusty and he said you were cuter.

Lol thanks!