Today in Philly Sports History: Chuck Klein Homers Four Times in One Game, 1936

Like so many of the best Phillies players in the first half of the 20th century, hall of famer Chuck Klein didn't get to see a lot of winning during his time here. In fact, in 15 seasons spent in Philadelphia, just one of them was on a team that emerged with a winning record--1932, when the team finished an inspired 78-76, good for fourth in the league. The Phils were much better at losing, and they piled up an impressive seven 100-loss seasons with Klein in uniform. However, Klein was able to rack up some pretty stellar individual achievements as a Phillie. He won the Triple Crown in 1931, and became the last player to lead the league in homers and steals the next year, winning the MVP. He hit for the cycle twice. He participated in the first-ever All-Star Game. He set the single-season record for outfield assists (44). And on July 10th, 1936, he became the first player in the national league in the 20th century to homer four times in one game.

Klein had spent a disappointing two-year stint with the Cubs in '34 and '35, after being traded for some losers and cash. But midway through the '36 season, he got sent back to the Phillies (though this time for decent players Ethan Allen and Curt Davis), and his numbers improved again being back in the hitter-friendly Baker Bowl. That day in July he squared off against Pirates starting pitcher Jim Weaver (no slouch of a pitcher, having led the league in shutouts the year before), and went yard in the first, fifth and seventh innings to give the Phillies a 6-4 lead. But three wasn't going to do it, as Phils starter Claude Passeau could not hang on for the win in the ninth and the Pirates tied it back up again. So Klein saved the best for last, hitting one more longball in the 10th to give the Phillies the lead, and an eventual 9-6 victory.

The feat had been accomplished three times before in the 19th century--including by our very own Ed Delahanty, who did it on consecutive inside-the-park homers--and has been done 11 more times to date, most recently by Carlos Delgado for the Toronto Blue Jays. Klein wasn't the last Phil to do it, either, but we'll save the story on that one for next April.

Comments

[Stevek]

All those losses before World War II still sting.

[dcs]

And on July 10th, 1936, he became the first player in the 21st century to homer four times in one game.

I suspect you mean "20th century" and not "21st" but even then it's not correct - Lou Gehrig did it in 1932. Klein was the first player in the NL to do it in the 20th century.

[will.H]

i was actually at this game

[jd]

hey didja know nickles actually had bees on them back then?