With the 2020 MLB Draft tonight, it was nice to hear a draft story from the greatest Phillie ever.
If it wasn't for a visit to Philadelphia before he signed, Mike Schmidt may not have reached the big leagues as quickly as he did. The Hall-of-Fame third baseman
wrote about how Phillies scout Tony Lucadello helped sign him and bring him to Philadelphia after the Phillies took him with the 30th overall pick in the 1971 MLB draft.
"My family and I waited in our living room for a call from the Phillies once the results were official," Schmidt wrote via APnews.com. "We got it from Tony, who visited us with an offer and the Phillies’ philosophy on signing draft picks. To them, it was best to sign and get to your team and start playing, then you will make money.
"Their offer for a signing bonus was $25,000. My father/agent pointed to the door and told him not to come back unless the offer was fair. The next day he returned and things got sweeter, but nowhere near what we expected. Tony offered $35,000 and get this, a trip to Philly to take batting practice with the Phillies and sign.
"We told him $37,500 and he had a deal. Here’s the kicker: While in Philly for the weekend, it just happened the club had an exhibition game on Monday in Reading against its Double-A affiliate.
"I got to play shortstop in that game for the Phillies, yes, the big Phillies with Deron Johnson and Don Money and Oscar Gamble, and I hit a home run to win the game. That game and hit possibly saved me two years in the minors. I started my career in Reading as a result."
It is, and was back in the 70s, exceedingly rare for college prospects to start their careers in Double-A in the middle of the season, but Schmidt impressed right away.
Schmidt's story comes during a week where 94WIP revealed the G.O.A.T. of Broad Street, where we will finally determine who the greatest athlete in Philadelphia sports is since 1970. While with the Phillies, Schmidt won three MVPs, ten Gold Gloves and was named to 12 All-Star teams while leading the National League in home runs eight times.
