Mike Schmidt

DURING THE Phillies Alumni Weekend, there is a ceremony to honor living members of the team's Wall of Fame as well as to welcome the latest inductee. Last month at Citizens Bank Park, Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Steve Carlton were among those who took one more bow. So did fan favorites Tony Taylor and Greg Luzinski. A no-hit pitcher, Jim Bunning. Dallas Green, the only manager to lead the Phillies to a World Series win. The sellout crowd saved its loudest and longest applause, though, for Michael Jack Schmidt.

Fourteen seasons, and this has been the best. Fourteen seasons bursting with two Most Valuable Player awards, nine Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star Game selections, a dozen 30-homer seasons and eight 100- RBI seasons. And this season has been better than any of them. "Yeah, if you take the total picture," Mike Schmidt agreed the other day, "I've been a consistently better player this year than I've ever been. " Age 37, and at the peak of his career. That is something very few men who have played the game of baseball can say. But now Mike Schmidt can. And that is why it's so strange that there is one other thing Schmidt can say these days: He can say that next season - almost certainly - will be his last.

In the final days, Mike Schmidt's mind wandered. At Dodger Stadium a week ago, where the Phillies began what would be his last road trip, he compared his fading skills to Kirk Gibson. When the action shifted to Candlestick Park, the measuring sticks were Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell. "I was wondering if I could compete with those guys anymore," Schmidt said yesterday. "I'm watching them and feeling like a shadow of the player I used to be. "And that was telling me it was time to turn the reins over to somebody else.

Market Street Live, the sprawling Center City sports-bar complex that included Phillies legend Mike Schmidt as an investor, closed for good last weekend. The Dallas-based company that had managed the complex since it opened in April 1990 said the bar fell victim to several factors, including the economy and the fact that popular summer-only bars and restaurants on the Delaware riverfront "pulled traffic out of the downtown area. " Market Street Live had encompassed five distinct places in the basement and street levels of the Mellon Independence Center - the former Lit Bros.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - In 1983, Mike Schmidt finished third in National League MVP voting despite a .255 batting average and league-leading 148 strikeouts. Three years later, Schmidt won the MVP at age 36 with a .290 batting average and five more walks (89) than strikeouts (84). "I changed," Schmidt said, "and I was very stubborn throughout my career. I was in my 14th year and made major changes to my approach both mentally and physically. I became maybe the best hitter in my career in my last couple of years.

Charlie Hayes left the Phillies after the '91 season, a most unhappy fellow. He returned yesterday with a smile so big, an attitude so upbeat, you'd have thought he won the Florida lottery. "Of all the players we ever got, he's got to be the happiest," Phillies manager Jim Fregosi said about his old-new third baseman. "I'm just excited, man," Hayes said after donning the red and white uniform with the No. 13 on the back. "The last time I was here, I was immature. I took everything to heart.

Former Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt works on his basketball game in Cooperstown, N.Y. Schmidt and announcer Rich Ashburn, the former Phillies centerfielder, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame tomorrow.

Former Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt, with wife Donna looking on, shows off special achievement award he was presented by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. Schmidt was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by an overwhelming margin earlier this month, and will be inducted on July 30.

Sometimes, nice guys finish fourth - and it's more than enough. Receiving 96.52 percent of the vote, the fourth-highest mark ever, Mike Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday. The names of the only three players to top him - Ty Cobb, Tom Seaver and Hank Aaron - show what kind of legendary company the Phillies' great slugger now rightfully keeps. The man that Phils' announcer Harry Kalas loved to call Michael Jack was a thoughtful recipient of the honor.

CINCINNATI - Pete Rose drew a walk on four pitches in his first plate appearance in the major leagues. Then, he sped to first base. No slowing him down, either then or 4,256 hits later. Baseball's all-time hits leader got his start 50 years ago this week, making his debut with the Reds in Cincinnati on April 8, 1963. After getting that walk in his first game and making 11 straight outs in the next few, he finally got on base using his bat - smacking a triple off Pittsburgh's Bob Friend on April 13. It wasn't long before the switch-hitting, barrel-chested Rose epitomized a no-holds-barred approach to baseball that others imitated, then and now. A half-century later, Charlie Hustle is still in style.

CINCINNATI - Pete Rose drew a walk on four pitches in his first plate appearance in the major leagues. Then, he sped to first base. No slowing him down, either then or 4,256 hits later. Baseball's all-time hits leader got his start 50 years ago this week, making his debut with the Reds in Cincinnati on April 8, 1963. After getting that walk in his first game and making 11 straight outs in the next few, he finally got on base using his bat - smacking a triple off Pittsburgh's Bob Friend on April 13. It wasn't long before the switch-hitting, barrel-chested Rose epitomized a no-holds-barred approach to baseball that others imitated, then and now. A half-century later, Charlie Hustle is still in style.

The Phillies home opener on Friday against the Kansas City Royals brought back memories of a landmark season in team history. After winning an epic five-game National League championship series against the Houston Astros, the Phillies beat the Royals in six games to win the franchise's first World Series in 1980. With that as a backdrop, Hall of Fame third basemen Mike Schmidt and the Royals' George Brett took part in the opening-game ceremonies and then spoke about a variety of topics, including 1980.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Mike Schmidt always comes to spring training armed with strong opinions, but the Hall of Fame third baseman did not want to get overly involved in talk about baseball's steroid era. Steroids took center stage last month when the Baseball Writers Association of America did not vote to induct any of the players on the Hall of Fame ballot. "I sort of ride the fence on that whole steroid era issue," Schmidt said. "I don't have a definite opinion like some of my fellow Hall of Famers.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The difference between the game's very good players and its all-time greats is career durability and consistency. Roger Maris hit a record 61 home runs in 1961 and 133 home runs in the 3-year period between 1960-62, but finished with 275 in his 12-year career. Mickey Mantle had knee problems but still managed to play 18 big-league seasons; he hit .300 or better in 10 of those seasons and had hit 30 or more home runs in 9 different years. Turning the power-hitting pendulum to Philadelphia, the two most famous home run hitters in Phillies history are somewhat similar to Maris and Mantle.

The voters speak Of course the legends come first. Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt. Some people would say popular figures like Tug McGraw and maybe John Kruk. The present-day face would be Chase Utley, because people think he's a hard-nosed player, which fits the Philly image. Phillies2008WSChamps Philly.com/Sports The big difference between Schmidt and Ryan Howard [who pulled just 2.5% of the vote] was that Schmidt was an excellent defensive player at third, but also made adjustments as a hitter.

JIMMY ROLLINS' three-run homer in the fifth inning was his 1,999th career hit. With his next hit, Rollins will join a trio of players who collected their 2,000th hit as a Phillie. All three are in the Hall of Fame. Mike Schmidt is the team's all-time hit king, with 2,234. Richie Ashburn (2,217) and Ed Delahanty (2,207) are second and third, respectively, according to the Phillies. When Rollins reaches 2,000, he will be the 30th switch- hitter in major league history to do so, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - In 1983, Mike Schmidt finished third in National League MVP voting despite a .255 batting average and league-leading 148 strikeouts. Three years later, Schmidt won the MVP at age 36 with a .290 batting average and five more walks (89) than strikeouts (84). "I changed," Schmidt said, "and I was very stubborn throughout my career. I was in my 14th year and made major changes to my approach both mentally and physically. I became maybe the best hitter in my career in my last couple of years.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Mike Schmidt and Dallas Green were asked to pick an era Monday morning. Their first option was that enchanting time from 1975 through 1983 when the Phillies, behind Schmidt's big bat and Steve Carlton's wicked left arm, evolved from a perennial second-division team into a consistent contender that won five division titles, two National League pennants, and a World Series. The second option was this current group of Phillies, which also has won five division titles, two pennants, and one World Series.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - In 1983, Mike Schmidt finished third in National League MVP voting despite a .255 batting average and league-leading 148 strikeouts. Three years later, Schmidt won the MVP at age 36 with a .290 batting average and five more walks (89) than strikeouts (84). "I changed," Schmidt said, "and I was very stubborn throughout my career. I was in my 14th year and made major changes to my approach both mentally and physically. I became maybe the best hitter in my career in my last couple of years.