Pieces of Our Past: September 2008

Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt Got His Baseball Beginnings in Little League

Mike Schimdt played Little League in North Riverdale Little League in Dayton, Ohio.

By Little League Museum Staff

September 25, 2008

Mike Schmidt is a hall of famer who helped power the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1980 Major League Baseball World Series championship, but few know where the slugging third baseman got his start.

Mr. Schmidt’s green baseball cap bearing the initials “LL” from his days as a player for the North Riverdale Little League in Dayton, Ohio, is on display at the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum in South Williamsport, Pa.

Although the cap is a museum artifact, it is featured as part of Philadelphia Phillies visiting exhibit. The Phillies exhibit is on display in the museum’s Showcase Room through October.

Schmidt’s Phillies jersey, a 1980s World Series Champion pennant and a photograph of Schmidt and other Phillies Hall of Famers also are on display. The third baseman also can be found in the museum’s Hall of Excellence where he was enshrined in 1991.

During his stellar 18-season career with the Phillies, Schmidt earned three National League Most Valuable Player Awards and received the Gold Glove 10 times.
He retired from Major League Baseball in 1989 having hit 548 home runs and driving in 1,595 runs and collecting 1,015 extra-base hits.

The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, 525 Route 15 Highway, just south of Williamsport, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. After Labor Day in September, the hours change to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. The facility is accessible to the disabled.

Rates are $5 for adults; $3 for those 62 and older; $1.50 for children between the ages of 5 and 13. There is no fee for children 4 or younger. Group rates and tours are available. The museum also offers birthday parties and after-hours facility rentals.

For more information, call the museum at (570) 326-3607; or visit www.littleleague.org/museum/index.asp