2017 Phillies Wall of Fame Breakdown – Rick Wise

By: Matt Alberston, Historical Columnist

"Two-round trippers and a no hitter, that's Rick Wise (not Bobby Wine)" is the second last line in the song "Past Time" by the Baseball Project and describes, arguably, the unlikeliest performance by a pitcher in the 20th century.  But before we get to that epic moment in Phillies lore, let's start at the beginning.

Wise was an outstanding multi-sport athlete who grew up in Portland, Oregon. The Phillies signed him to a Major League contract when he graduated high school at the age of 17. After spending his rookie season at Single-A Bakersfield in 1963, Wise joined the big club for the 1964 season and appeared in 25 games for the Phillies. One of those starts was the second game of the Father's Day double-header at Shea Stadium; Jim Bunning hurled a perfect game in the first contest. He spent 1965 refining his game in the minor leagues and returned to the big club in 1966 for good. 

In seven years (1964, 1966-1971) as a Phillie, Wise compiled a 75-76 record and posted a 3.60 ERA, including 52 complete games. In 1971, the team ended the season with a 67-95 record, but Wise put together the best season of his entire career, going 17-14 with a 2.88 ERA. The biggest moment of his Phillies career came on June 23, 1971 at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. Nursing a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th inning, with a runner on second base, Wise took Reds pitcher Ross Grimsley deep for a two-run home run, putting the Phillies ahead 3-0. Wise continued to deal and fool the Cincinatti hitters which included Willy Montanez, Johnny Bench, and Pete Rose. In the top of the 8th, Wise led off and again went deep, this time off of Clay Carroll. In the bottom of the 9th, Wise got Pete Rose to line out to John Vukovich for the 27th and final out, capping a historic performance. It is still the only game where a pitcher hit two home runs and tossed a no-hitter. He again hit two home runs in one game on August 28 against the Giants. 

On February 25, 1972, Wise was traded to the Cardinals for Steve Carlton. Wise had a good career, playing 18 years with a 188-181 record and a 3.69 career ERA. Again, Wise was a good player on usually bad teams. He spent seven solid years in Philadelphia and didn't want to leave. Regardless, Rick Wise is a fringe candidate for the Wall of Fame.