Sunday School: History Lesson 32

Del Ennis was an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1946-1956. Ennis, a Philadelphia native, played for the "Class B" Interstate League team in Trenton, NJ for one season prior to enlisting in the Navy to serve during World War II. While serving, he played on a Navy Service team which included Pee Wee Reese, Mickey Vernon and other big name ball players.

Ennis was released from the Navy in early April 1946, and within a couple weeks was playing baseball with the Phillies. Ennis would become the Phillies' first rookie to be named an all star. By the end of the season, his .313 batting average and 73 RBI got him named The Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

The following season, Ennis' 81 RBI led the team. The next best total by a Phillie was 51. In 1949, Ennis was part of a record setting inning, when the Phillies struck 5 homers in the same inning. Ennis, Andy Seminick (who hit 2), Willie Jones and Lynwood "Schoolboy" Rowe completed the feat.

Ennis had his greatest season in 1950. A member of the famed Whiz Kids team, Ennis helped lead the Phillies into the post season that year with his .311 average, 31 HR and league leading 126 RBI. That year, when Del had 39 RBI in July, he drove in 7 in a single game against the Cubs. Ennis had two separate streaks where he bashed homeruns in 4 straight games, in 1950. In the World Series, Ennis was just 2-for-14 as the Phillies were swept by the Yankees.

In his 11 years as a Phillie, Ennis drove in over 100 runs 6 times. On top of that, he exceeded 25 homers 7 times with Philadelphia. Until Mike Schmidt came along, Del Ennis was the Phillies all time team leader in homeruns. Schmidt and Ennis are the only Phillies to drive in over 1,000 runs.

Following the 1956 season, Ennis was traded to St. Louis for Bobby Morgan and Rip Repulski. Ennis made a big impact with the Cardinals offense in '57 with 24 HR, 105 RBI and a .286 average. He played two more seasons in the majors before retiring. Del Ennis was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 1982.

---------------------------------

It has been a terrific season, thus far. PhoulBallz has had a great first year of running daily content. Part of that content has been our outstanding exclusive interviews. Be sure to CLICK HERE to read Q&A's you may have missed with current Phillies like Pedro Martinez, JC Romero and Greg Dobbs, as well as big name prospects like Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor, and of course your SAL Champion BlueClaws like Justin De Fratus, Travis Mattair and Travis D'Arnaud.

Be sure to follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!

Comments

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be. He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line. And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line. He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage. Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August. Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH. Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog