Mike Schmidt

Mike Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American baseball third baseman who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1972 through 1989, all for the Philadelphia Phillies. Mike Schmidt was a three-time National League (NL) MVP, 12-time All-Star selection, 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, six-time Silver Slugger Award winner and 1980 World Series MVP. Retiring from major league baseball with 548 home runs, Schmidt was elected as the third baseman on 1999's Major League Baseball All-Century team.

Home runs were Schmidt’s calling card at the plate. He led the NL in homers eight times during his career, and his 48 home runs in 1980 set a Major League record for third basemen at the time. On April 18, 1987, Schmidt became the 14th member of the 500 home-run club and finished his career with 548.

In the field, Schmidt was a graceful defender at third base and occasionally the Phillies’ emergency shortstop. He led the NL in assists seven times and double-plays six times.

The Phillies won the World Series in 1980, beating the Kansas City Royals in six games, and Schmidt was named World Series MVP. It was the first World Series championship in the Phillies franchise history.

Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis created ten-foot tall bronze statues of four of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Hall of Famers, including Mike Schmidt. Schmidt unveiled his statue during the opening of the new Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“It’s great that fans and organizations like the Phillies want to honor their history...And who’s to say one of (the current Phillies) won’t have a statue someday?”
— Mike Schmidt

Third Baseman
Elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995
Size: 10-feet high, sculpted from life
Media: Bronze
Unveiled: Unveiled: April 12, 2004 during the opening of the new Citizens Bank ballpark
Location: Third Base Gate, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Inscription on Plinth: MIKE SCHMIDT. PHILLIES HALL OF FAME THIRD BASEMAN 1972-1989.

Additional Sculpture of Mike Schmidt