The 1983 NLCS vs Expos
The seven-game saga where the Wheeze Kids silenced Montreal and marched to their first World Series.
The 1983 National League Championship Series stands as a defining chapter in Philadelphia Phillies history, marking the franchise's first-ever trip to the World Series since 1950. Facing the Montreal Expos, a team that had dominated the regular season with a record-setting 96 wins, the underdog Phillies engaged in a thrilling seven-game battle. This series is remembered not just for its outcome, but for the dramatic momentum shifts and the emergence of young stars who would anchor the 'Wheeze Kids' legacy.
- Series Result
- Phillies won 4-3
- MVP
- Mike Schmidt
- Key Rivalry
- Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- Historical Significance
- First NLCS appearance for the Phillies since 1950 (pre-expansion)
- Deciding Game Location
- Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
- Year
- 1983
Lore & Background
The narrative arc of the 1983 NLCS is defined by Mike Schmidt's heroic performance. After struggling in Game 6, which saw the Expos force a decider back in Philadelphia, Schmidt delivered an iconic two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 to secure the pennant. This moment transformed him from a great player into an immortal figure for the city, cementing the 'Wheeze Kids' moniker as a badge of honor rather than an insult.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Veterans Stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation on that October night in 1983. The crowd, a sea of red and white, held its breath as the Expos threatened to steal the series. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Mike Schmidt stepped into the batter's box, the weight of a city resting on his shoulders. He swung with practiced fury, sending the ball soaring over the right-field fence, triggering an eruption that would echo through decades of baseball history.
Reader's Guide
The series reached its climax in Game 7 at Veterans Stadium after the Expos had taken Game 6 to force the decider. The Phillies trailed late in the game, with the Expos' bullpen looking poised to close out the pennant. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and a runner on base, Mike Schmidt faced the Expos' closer. Schmidt connected on a pitch that would become legendary, launching a two-run home run into the right-field stands. The blast instantly turned the tide, giving Philadelphia a 4-3 series victory and their first National League pennant in thirty-three years. This moment is etched in lore because it was the culmination of a season defined by grit and the specific triumph of a veteran leader delivering when all else failed. The victory propelled the 'Wheeze Kids' to the World Series, where they would eventually capture their first championship title since 1950. It remains one of the most celebrated moments in franchise history, symbolizing the end of an era of heartbreak and the beginning of a golden age.
Did You Know?
- The Phillies became the first team to win Game 7 of an NLCS at Veterans Stadium.
- This victory ended a 33-year drought for Philadelphia, as they had not reached the World Series since 1950.
- The Expos had won the National League East by 12 games over the Phillies in the regular season before falling in the playoffs.
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