Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American baseball third baseman; played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1972 through 1989, for the Philadelphia Phillies. Mike Schmidt was a three-time 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 National League in homers eight times during his career and his 48 home runs in 1980 set a since-broken Major League record for third basemen. 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 all NL in assists seven times and double plays six times.
The Phillies won the World Series in 1980, beating the Royals in six games, and Schmidt was named World Series MVP. It was the first World Series championship in franchise history.
Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Zenos Frudakis sculpted Mike Schmidt from life and the statue was installed outside the Third Base gate of Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
“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?”
Third Baseman
Elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995
Size: 10-feet high
Media: Bronze
Unveiled: December 4, 2004
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