Former Phillie of the Day - Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson was the 6th overall pick in the 1969 baseball draft, chosen by the Phillies out of Timmonsville (S.C.) High School. He was going to play football at the University of South Carolina but opted for baseball after the Phillies made him their top pick.

Anderson was an absolute stud in the Phillies minor league system, hitting .322 with 21 HRs and 241 RBIs in three seasons. That performance earned him a promotion to the majors in 1970. During spring training in 1972, he was hit in the head with a pitch and was carried off the field. But he still made the Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, he struggled at the plate and was sent to AAA in May.

He returned to the Phillies in 1973 as a platoon outfielder, and won the everyday RF job in 1974. But he hit just .251 with a .313 OBP and was eventually traded to the Cardinals in 1975 for pitcher Ron Reed. Many speculated that he was never the same after getting hit during spring training.