Tommy Hutton retires
Tommy Hutton was a big leaguer for 12 seasons, a flashy first baseman, elite pinch-hitter, “owner” of Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and an MLB television-radio analyst for more than four decades.
Soon the 80-year-old will retire, 60 years after he made his debut with the Dodgers as a ninth-inning defensive replacement at first base. The date, Sept. 16, 1966, Sandy Koufax’s 24th win. It was a dream come true for the South Pasadena High School (CA) 20-year-old.
A left-handed hitter and thrower, Hutton was originally signed by the Dodgers, Nov. 24, 1964, as an amateur free agent. His first pro season was the following year.
His Major League tour included the Dodgers (1966, 1969), Phillies (1972-77), Blue Jays (1978) and Expos (1978-81). He hit .248 with 22 homers and 186 RBIs in 952 games. In 1,920 career plate appearances, Hutton was never hit by a pitch in a game.
Hutton’s on-the-air road began in Montreal (1982) and took him to the Yankees (1987-89), Blue Jays (1990-96), ESPN, NBC and ABC and the Marlins, 1997-2015 and 2021-present. In recent years, he’s done only home games. His final game is Sept. 27.
Phillies Pinstripes
Tommy was acquired from the Dodgers for OF Larry Hisle, October 21, 1971. ... A reserve first baseman, emergency outfielder and pinch-hitter, his six seasons in Philadelphia are the longest stint as a player. During that span became a very popular player. Wore No. 14.
His final Phillies numbers: .253, 651 games, 19 homers, 148 RBIs. Check out these numbers, 184 walks, 99 strikeouts. He was a key role player on the 1976 and 1977 division champions.
Veterans Stadium, which opened in 1971, had a Stadium Club (restaurant/bar) on the Press Box level near the right-field foul pole. In effort to boost postgame business, Bill Giles asked Hutton to perform after Friday night home games in 1973. Philly’s version of John Denver.
Now Batting
As a pinch-hitter, he was among the best in Phillies history. Three times he led the Phillies in pinch-hits, 1972 (8), 1975 (11) and 1977 (10). In 1972, he led Nation League pinch-hitters with a .421 average.
Totals: 52 hits, three home runs, 31 RBIs, .311 average. 52 hits trail only Tony Taylor (54) and Greg Gross (111).
For his Major League career, .267 in 348 games, four homers, 44 RBIs, 47 walks, 36 strikeouts.
Seaver Nemesis
Hutton batted .320 against Seaver in 62 plate appearances, with 11 walks, three home runs (one as a pinch-hitter) and 11 RBIs.
Why the success?
“I’ve been asked that often,” he said. “I really don’t know. Perhaps it was mental for both of us.”
On Opening Day in 1973, Hutton was in the starting lineup for the first time. Batting fourth for the first time, Hutton had one of the five Phillies hits (3 ABs) in a 3-0 loss at the Mets vs. Seaver.