McBride hit .300 seven times, including the first five years of his career. He was
named Rookie of the Year in 1974 when he hit .309 with 81 runs and 30 steals as the
second-place Cardinals' centerfielder. He missed time with injuries the next two
seasons (although he was named to the All-Star team in 1976) and was traded to the
Phillies in June 1977. Moving from spacious
Busch Stadium to Veterans Stadium, he
hit a career-high 15 HR while batting .316 and stealing a personal-best 36 bases,
and started the winning ninth-inning rally in Game One of the LCS. In 1978 he slumped
to .269 but led NL outfielders in fielding, tied a ML record for right fielders with
10 chances in a game (September 8), and pinch hit a game-tying HR in the seventh
inning of the Phillies' LCS loss in Game Four. He tied for second in the NL with
12 triples in 1979.
McBride rebounded to .309 (fourth in the NL) in the Phillies'
1980 World Championship season, setting career highs of 87 RBI and 33 doubles. He
went on to belt a game-winning three-run HR in the Series opener and singled in the
tying run and scored the game winner in the Phillies' eighth-inning rally in their
Game Two victory.
After limited time in 1981, McBride was traded to the Indians
and finished with two years of part-time duty.
(WOR)
Bake McBride
