Phillies Alumni

A historical look at the dates of March 20-31.

March 20, 2022

Outfielder Kyle Schwarber is signed as a free agent.

March 21, 1962

The Phillies retire Robin Roberts’ No. 36 at a cocktail party in Tampa, Fla., following an exhibition game with the New York Yankees, to whom he had been sold the previous fall.

March 21, 2004

Veterans Stadium, which opened in 1971, is imploded in 62 seconds.

March 22, 2017

Wall of Famer and World Series champion manager Dallas Green dies in Philadelphia.

March 23, 2006

Ryan Howard clubs his 10th home run of the spring, believed to be a team record, as he passes Dick Allen’s 1964 mark.

March 23, 1881

Wall of Fame outfielder Gavvy Cravath is born in Poway, Calif.

March 23, 2015

The Phillies face the Minnesota Twins in Clearwater with Ryne Sandberg and Paul Molitor leading their respective clubs, the first time two Hall of Fame players faced each other as managers.

March 25, 1981

Right-handed pitcher Bob Walk is traded to the Atlanta Braves for OF Gary Matthews.

March 26, 1936

Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas is born in Naperville, Ill.

March 26, 2002

Workers begin pouring concrete to create the foundation of Citizens Bank Park.

March 27, 1976

After reading of Paul Revere’s less famous ride in 1774 from Boston to Philadelphia, Phillies Vice President Bill Giles hires a “Paul Revere” to recreate the ride to deliver a game ball for the Phillies’ bicentennial home opener. With the ball in a lantern, Revere sets off on horseback from Boston’s Old North Church on this day to begin the 318-mile journey. Two Paul Reveres and three horses (one with shoes for dirt, one for concrete and one for blacktop) are needed for the two-week trip.

March 27, 2025

In the earliest start to a season in franchise history, the Phillies topped the Washington Nationals, 7-3, in 10 innings. After the Nats scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings, a two-run double by Alec Bohm and two-run triple by J.T. Realmuto in the 10th secured the Opening Day victory at Nationals Park.

March 28, 1978

At age 27, Greg Luzinski becomes the youngest player to receive the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball both on and off the field.

March 28, 2003

The Yankees win the last spring training game in the history of Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, 2-0. Robin Roberts throws out the first pitch and Pat Burrell gets the last hit.

March 28, 2004

Right-handed pitcher Clay Condrey is acquired from San Diego for infielder Trino Aguilar.

March 28, 2019

Right fielder Bryce Harper makes his Phillies debut and first baseman Rhys Hoskins becomes the first player in franchise history to hit a grand slam on Opening Day at home as the Phils top the Braves, 10-4.

March 29, 2025

In an 11-6 win over the Nationals, left-hander Jesús Luzardo recorded 11 strikeouts, the second-most by a Phillies pitcher in their debut with the club since at least 1893.

March 30, 1979

Free agent outfielder Del Unser returns to the Phillies, where he previously played from 1973-74.

March 30, 1981

Outfielder Greg Luzinski is traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash.

March 30, 2023

Shortstop Trea Turner marks his Phillies debut with a triple off Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom on Opening Day.

March 31, 1998

The Phillies lose, 1-0, to the New York Mets in 14 innings at Shea Stadium in the club’s first season opener ever played in March.

March 31, 2003

First baseman Jim Thome makes an impressive debut for the Phillies, going 3-for-4, including an RBI double in his first at-bat, as the Phils top the Florida Marlins, 8-5, at Pro Player Stadium.

March 31, 2014

Jimmy Rollins hits a grand slam, the 200th home run of his career, in a 14-10 Opening Day win at Texas.