The ground was broken at 20th Street and Lehigh Avenue for the construction of Shibe Park on April 16, 1908. Cost was $315,248 and it took one year to build, opening on April 12, 1909. Original capacity was 23,000.
Phillies Alumni
A peek at the past
Phillies Phlashback
A historical look at the dates of May 1-4.
May 1, 1883
In the Phillies’ first game ever, the Providence Grays pull out a 4-3 victory at Philadelphia’s Recreation Park before an estimated crowd of 1,200.
May 1, 1906
Twenty-year-old LHP Johnny Lush, a graduate of Philadelphia’s Girard College prep school, becomes the youngest Phillie ever to toss a no-hitter, 6-0 at Brooklyn.
May 1, 1983
As the Phillies observe the 100th anniversary of their first game, 40-year-old 1B Tony Perez collects three hits and drives in five runs in an 11-3 win over Houston. John Enzmann, a pitcher on the 1920 club and, at 93, the oldest living former Phillie, throws out the ceremonial first pitch.
May 1, 2011
A 2-1 Mets win in 14 innings is overshadowed by the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces, leading fans to start a “U.S.A.!” chant during the “Sunday Night Baseball” telecast.
May 1, 2015
Ryan Howard plays in his 1,299th game at first base, breaking the club record set by Fred Luderus from 1910-20.
May 2, 1970
In a real rarity, both Phillies catchers, Tim McCarver and Mike Ryan, suffer broken bones in their hands in the sixth inning of a 7-1 loss at San Francisco. Utility player Jim Hutto finishes the game behind the plate.
May 2, 2012
With two doubles and a home run, Carlos Ruiz becomes the first catcher in Phillies history to collect seven RBI in a game since RBI became an official stat in 1920, but the Braves edge the Phils in 11 innings, 15-13.
May 2, 2023
Bryce Harper makes his 2023 season debut, returning to the lineup just 160 days after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
May 3, 1947
The Phillies acquire CF Harry Walker and RHP Fred Schmidt from St. Louis in exchange for OF Ron Northey. Walker will go on to lead the majors in hitting that season with a .363 combined average.
May 3, 1992
2B Mariano Duncan ties the club record by scoring five runs in a 12-3 win at San Francisco. Duncan is a perfect 5-for-5, three singles, a triple and a home run.
May 4, 1973
PH Jose Pagan’s sacrifice fly gives the Phillies a 5-4, 20-inning win over Atlanta at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies’ longest game by innings since April 30, 1919. The game lasts 5:16.