On May 11th, 1980 the Philadelphia Phillies were playing the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. The Phillies defeated the Reds 7-3 and the top of the 7th was a historical one. Pete Rose drew a leadoff walk against Reds reliever Mario Soto. With Bake McBride batting, Rose took advantage of the rare off day for Johnny Bench and stole second on catcher Don Werner. McBride grounded out to the left side for the first out of the inning. Then with Mike Schmidt batting, Rose took off and made it safely to third. Like John R. Finger who wrote about this game in 2009, I vividly remember watching the game, and unless my mind fails me, I clearly remember Rose, a former Red, talking trash when got to 3rd base.
Schmidt walked and set the stage for something that hadn’t happened in the National League since Jackie Robinson did it in 1954. Schmidt broke for second and when the throw went to through, Rose took off for home for the rare three stolen bases in a single inning.
Jayson Werth is the only Phillie to perform the feat since Rose, he did it practically 29 years to the day when he swiped three bags in one inning on May 12, 2009 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Safe at Home [FingerFood]
Phillies vs. Reds May 11, 1980 [Baseball Reference]
