At 21 years old, Robin Roberts began his pro career with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 1948, struck out 17 in first pro start, was promoted to the Majors after compiling a 9-1 record (11 games), made his big league debut on June 18 and ended his pro career at age 40 with the Reading Phillies in 1967 with a 5-3 record (11 games).
Dallas Green, in his final season as a pro, was on the same staff as Roberts at Reading (1967). Green managed in Huron, S.D., the next season. Two 17-year-old players made their pro debut on that club, first baseman Greg Luzinski and catcher/infielder Manny Trillo.
Paul Owens was a player-manager in the Phillies' Minor League system with the Olean (N.Y.) Oilers (1956-57) and Bakersfield (Calif.) Bears (1958-59). He transitioned into an area scout in Southern California (1960-64) before moving into the Phillies' front office as director of Minor Leagues and scouting (1965). He became the general manager (1972) and took over as the field manager in the middle of the same season. He went back to the dugout in 1983. He was the architect of the 1980 World Series champion Phillies and the manager of the 1983 NL champions.
Mike Schmidt made his pro debut playing for the Major League Phillies in an exhibition game against the Reading Phillies in Reading, Pa., in 1971. He delivered a game-winning home run against Reading for whom he would play for the rest of the season ... at shortstop.
Tommy Lasorda was a 17-year-old lefty the Phillies signed out of Norristown, Pa., in 1945. His pro debut was with the Concord (N.C.) Weavers of the Class D North Carolina State League that summer. Following two years in the military service his pro career resumed in Schenectady (1948). He struck out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers in a 15-inning game on May 31, a professional record at the time. Oh, he drove in the winning run with a single. Lasorda was selected by the Dodgers in the 1948 Rule 5 Draft.
Clearwater Phillies organist Wilbur Snapp was ejected from Jack Russell Stadium by umpires for playing “Three Blind Mice” after a disputed call at first base (1985).
Baseball’s first double no-hitter in 40 years occurred on Aug. 23, 1992, by Andy Carter (Clearwater) and Scott Bakkum (Winter Haven). The Phillies won, 1-0, on two walks and two sacrifice bunts in the seventh inning.
Ed Wade, the Phillies' general manager from 1997-2005, was a native of Carbondale, Pa., where the Phillies had a Minor League team (1946-50). Pat Colgan, the Pioneers' first manager, had a son, Kevin. Ed and Kevin played at Russell Park while attending St. Rose High School.
National Baseball Hall of Famers who wore a Reading Phillies uniform include Roberts (1967), Schmidt (1971), Jim Bunning (1972, manager), Ryne Sandberg (1980) and Scott Rolen (1995).
The Phillies' Minor League system in 1980 had a future Hall of Famer (Ryne Sandberg), a National League Cy Young Award winner (Mark Davis) and an American League MVP (George Bell). None of the award seasons were with the Phillies.
Spencer Howard, in his first postseason start, pitched a no-hitter for Lakewood against Kannapolis in the SAL Northern Division Championship clincher (2018).