The outfielder who broke Babe Ruth's record in just 19 days
In short: In July 2021, Brett Phillips achieved a statistical anomaly so rare it had not been seen since the era of Babe Ruth. In a whirlwind three-week span, the outfielder transitioned from a standard hitter to a record-breaking power threat, proving that even in a game of long seasons, lightning can strike twice.
Brett Phillips' 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Rays featured a statistical burst that defied baseball's typical rhythms. From July 29 to August 11, Phillips recorded three grand slams during 19 plate appearances, trailing only Jim Northrup's 1968 mark of three slams in 14 appearances. However, Phillips added a layer of absurdity to the feat by hitting an inside-the-park home run on August 16. By hitting three grand slams and an inside-the-park home run within 19 days, he beat Babe Ruth's 1929 record of 36 days for that same achievement.
Beyond his sudden power, Phillips' career has been defined by versatility and movement. After being drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round in 2012, he moved through various organizations, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals. His most notable postseason moment came on October 24, 2020, during Game 4 of the World Series, when he recorded a walk-off single for the Rays against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This made him the first player since Kirk Gibson in 1988 to record a walk-off hit with two outs while his team was trailing in the World Series.
In the twilight of his playing career, Phillips attempted a transition to pitching, training with former MLB pitcher Sean Gallagher. After stints in the minor leagues and independent baseball, including time with the Chicago White Sox and the Kane County Cougars, he officially announced his retirement from playing on October 5. He has since returned to the Tampa Bay Rays, serving in a fan engagement role.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Brett Phillips
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-brett-phillips.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
