Joel Youngblood – two hits, two teams, two cities, two Hall of Fame pitchers – all in a day’s work.
On this day (August 4) in 1982, outfielder Joel Youngblood made MLB history by becoming the only player to collect a base hit for two different major league teams in two different cities – on the same day.
He started the day with the Mets, playing an afternoon game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Youngblood opened the game in center field, batting third in the order. After striking out in the first inning, Youngblood drove in two runs with a single in the top of the third.
Youngblood was then replaced in centerfield by Mookie Wilson in the bottom of the fourth – told by Mets’ manager George Bamberger that he had been traded to the Expos (for a player to be named later), who were scheduled to play in Philadelphia in Philadelphia that night. Youngblood set off for Philadelphia, where the Expos were playing that night.
Youngblood immediately set out to join his own team – catching a 6:05 flight to Philadelphia – eventually arriving at Veterans Stadium with the game in progress. To his surprise, there was an Expos uniform, with his name already sewn on the back, waiting for him. And, the Expos wasted no time getting there newest player into the game. Manager Jim Fanning sent Youngblood into right field and the number-two spot in the batting order (replacing Jerry White) in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Youngblood singled in his first Expos’ at bat.
Two hits, for two different teams in two different cities in one day – an historic accomplishment. Youngblood’s day was even more amazing when you consider the pitchers he touched for his two safeties. In Chicago, it was future Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, while in Philadelphia, it was future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.
Youngblood, by the way, was a true utility player, manning every position except pitcher over his 14-season MLB career (right field – 455 games; left field – 237; third base – 218, second base – 173; center field 107; first base – 7; shortstop – 3, catcher – 1). In 1,408 games, he hit .265, with 80 home runs, 422 RBI and 60 stolen bases. He made one All Star team (in an injury-plagued and strike-shortened 1981 season, when he hit .350 in 43 games for the Mets). He best season was 1983, when he hit .292, with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 124 games (at four positions) for the San Francisco Giants.)
Coming soon, the monthly BBRT MLB review for July. (Been a little busy here.)
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One final note, for BBRT’s Minnesota followers; Current Twins manager Ron Gardenhire played in the August 4 game for the Mets – coming in as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning – after Youngblood head already “left the building.”
