Mike Schmidt

APRIL 6, 1974 — Mike Schmidt and his Phillies teammates knew they would have a tough test in their Opening Day opponent the New York Mets, the reigning NL pennant winners. After a back-and-forth exchange of runs, the Phillies headed into the bottom of the ninth down, 4-3. Schmidt, hitting in the eighth spot, cracked a game-winning, two-run home run off Mets closer Tug McGraw to send the Phillies fans into jubilation.