Thome, Rollins make history 10 years apart

There have been a lot of strange and unusual moments in Phillies history. None match what happened on the same date (June 14), 10 years apart (2004-14) and in the same place (Citizens Bank Park). Oddly, each was a historic moment.

The cast of characters were just two Phillies, Jim Thome and Jimmy Rollins.

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There wasn't any doubt Thome would get his 400th home run in 2004, Citizens Bank Park's inaugural season. He was 19 dingers shy when the season began. It simply was a matter of when and where. That number dwindled down to seven as the Phillies began a nine-game road trip in Atlanta on June 3.

The Phillies' next home game wasn't until June 14, originally a day off but an April 14 rain out against Cincinnati was rescheduled for that Monday night. Two homers in Atlanta, three in Chicago against the White Sox and one in Minnesota put Thome at 399 with one more game against the Twins. He was hitless in four at-bats, setting the stage for a milestone moment in the club's new home.

The largest crowd (44,710) in the park's young life was there.

What made it an extra special night, Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. was sitting on 499 homers. Baseball history could be made if each homered that night. Griffey was not in the lineup, leaving the bright lights shining on Thome.

With Rollins on first and two out, Thome stepped into the batter's box. He fell behind in the count, 0-2, but battled his way to a full count against right-hander Juan Acevedo. The next pitch was a breaking ball and Thome deposited it into the left-field seats, section 147, row 4, seat 6 to be specific.

Number 400!

Well, 400 potentially. Rain began falling in the third inning. The game was delayed for two hours and 18 minutes. The historic homer couldn't be official until five innings were played. The game did resume, number 400 became official and the Phillies came from behind for a 10-7 win.

Postgame, Thome admitted he was glad it happened in front of his hometown fans.

"I was very excited for the city of Philadelphia," Thome said. "After what happened and watching the way people reacted, no question. My wife got to be here. The only thing I regret is my parents weren't here, but they were on the road trip and they had seen a lot of the home runs up to that point. My wife called my mom right when it happened."

When Rollins greeted Thome after crossing the plate, little did he know that he would be setting a milestone on the same date on the same field.

Ten year later on a Saturday afternoon, a line-drive single to right field set Rollins apart from everyone else who wore a Phillies uniform. Ripping a fifth-inning fastball from Cubs' right-hander Edwin Jackson for that single vaulted Rollins into first place for the most hits in franchise history, 2,235. The crowd of 32,524 immediately stood to salute the new hit king.

Upon reaching first base, Rollins clapped his hands, took off his helmet, waived to the cheering crowd and broke into that infectious smile of his. The incumbent hit leader, Mike Schmidt, charged out of the Phillies' dugout, picked up Jimmy's bat near home plate and headed to first base. Then, passing the torch, Schmidt raised Rollins' right arm. Fireworks erupted overhead as play was halted for a few minutes. Rollins' teammates rushed from the dugout for a hug-a-thon.

Chase Utley was the last player to greet Rollins. The two shook hands and hugged. But Utley left a message, "Now, score a run." Rollins did.

"Schmidt coming down the line shocked me," Rollins said after the game. "I knew he was going to be here, but I didn't know he was going to have a part in it. I hit first base and he was halfway down the line, charging with my bat. That was pretty nice. That was a surprise."

Schmidt's message was simple, "Congratulations, it couldn't happen to a better guy. I appreciate your friendship." Schmidt wanted to be there when Rollins broke his record. He arrived in town on Wednesday when Rollins was four hits shy.

Rollins began the season needing 60 hits to pass Schmidt, who's last hit came in 1989. As was the case with Thome, it was just a matter of when and where. The Phillies were home June 10-15. Rollins' 11th hit of that month was the record-breaker.

Thome was signed to lead the Phillies into their new home. Rollins came along to lead the Phillies to their greatest Citizens Bank Park moment, a World Series championship.

What can possibly happen if the Phillies are home on June 14, 2024?