Super Sub Makes History in Incredible Game

Ryan Howard stared at his pitcher incredulously. With the score knotted at 4-4 in the top of the 19th inning, the sight of his “pitcher” shaking off, not one, but two of his catcher’s signs, drove Howard to laughter. 

After all, the pitcher had not even thrown a pitch as of yet to the Cincinnati Reds reigning MVP, Joey Votto. However, this was not just any hurler. This was the Phillies super sub, utility infielder Wilson Valdez.

Manager Charlie Manuel had stated in the past that he would never send a position player to the mound under any circumstance, however, Charlie had already used Roy Halladay, Michael Stutes, Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick, J.C. Romero, David Herndon and Danys Baez, who had actually thrown 73 pitches in five scoreless, one hit innings. Add the fact that Cole Hamels had thrown a bullpen session earlier in the evening and Charlie had no choice but to summon his infielder to the mound. 

So here was Ryan Howard, literally covering his face with his glove, to hide his smile, as his “pitcher” shook off catcher Dane Sardinha. Said Howard, “I was like, what is he going to throw, what does he have?” 

What he did have, incredibly, was an 89-90 mph two-seam sinking fastball, a curveball and a changeup. It wasn’t as if Valdez was facing a weak portion of the Cincinnati lineup, either. Votto was due up first, followed by Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce and pitcher, Carlos Fisher. 

After falling behind Votto 3-1, Valdez retired the big slugger on a 395 foot fly ball to center field.  Wilson then hit Rolen with a pitch, but retired Bruce on a pop to short center on a 0-1 offering. He then proceeded to get Fisher to pop to second baseman Placido Polanco (who had moved over from third base to replace Valdez) on a 0-1 pitch. 

The dwindling crowd erupted as Valdez walked off to a standing ovation.  In fact, Valdez’s appearance on the mound seemed to re-energize the crowd, as they stood and chanted “Let’s go Wilson” as he took his eight warm up tosses.  Valdez retired the Reds on a mere 10 pitches, which was even more remarkable when you consider that he had never pitched professionally. 

Now it gets even funnier.  Wilson, of course, never warmed up in the bullpen and therefore was only allowed the obligatory eight warm up throws. Valdez drew lots of guffaws when he “excused” his 89-90 mph fastballs. “I never got a chance to warm up and I was tired after playing 18 innings at second base.” he exclaimed, while laughing, of course. 

This remarkable game began on Thursday May 26th and ended in the wee hours of Friday morning, May 27th.  The game took 6 hours and 11 minutes to complete and ended when Raul Ibanez hit a game-winning sacrifice fly at 1:19 a.m. 

Wilson, the pitcher of record when the winning run scored, became the first position player to win a game since the feat was accomplished by Colorado catcher, Brent Mayne on August 22, 2000. However, since Mayne had not appeared in that game until he was called upon to pitch, Valdez became the first player to start a game as a position player and win since none other than Babe Ruth accomplished the feat in 1921!  After the game, Valdez’s cap was sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown to commemorate the unusual event.

The incredible game saw 600 pitches thrown. It also included Carlos Ruiz starting the game as a catcher and finishing it playing third base and saw a total of 40 players used. The marathon included a go ahead 10th inning home run by Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce which was followed by Ryan Howard’s mammoth tying blast to dead center field, off of Cincinnati’s closer, Francisco Cordero. 

The game also included a bizarre play in the top of the 11th inning. With the affable, talkative Reds second-baseman Brandon Phillips leading off second base, having one of his many animated conversations with “star pitcher” Wilson Valdez, then of course, playing second base, J.C. Romero suddenly wheeled and threw to Valdez to pick off the startled Phillips.  It was a critical play since Romero was facing first and second with one out and had a 3-1 count on Scott Rolen.    

Wilson Valdez is one of the more popular players on the Phillies, both with the fans and with his teammates. As Chris Wheeler has reported many times, “Wilson is a guy that loves just putting on the uniform.” 

Much of the credit to Valdez’ finally finding a home belongs to Charlie Manuel.  Valdez had a cumulative total of 342 major league at bats before Charlie was “forced” to get him 333 at bats in 2010.  Although the Phillies had optioned Valdez to Lehigh Valley at the beginning of the 2010 season, once Jimmy Rollins went on the DL on April 14, Charlie called on his super-sub.  Despite the fact that the Phillies had signed Juan Castro to be their utility infielder, Manuel told all that would listen, that the diminutive Valdez is a good fielder with a great arm and “had a little pop, too.”

Wilson Antonio Valdez, 33 years old, was born May 20, 1978 in Nizao, Peravia, in the Dominican Republic. He is of slight build, at 5’11” and 170 lbs.  His baseball history resembles a travelogue:

• He was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Montreal Expos in 1997. 
• On March 29, 2002, Valdez was selected off waivers by the Florida Marlins. 
• On June 17, 2004, he was traded by Florida to the Chicago White Sox with cash for Billy Koch. 
• On March 30, 2005, he was selected off waivers by the New York Mets from Chicago. 
• On April 1, 2005, he was selected off waivers by the Seattle Mariners from the Mets. 
• On June 9, 2005, he was traded by Seattle to San Diego for two minor leaguers. 
• On August 30, 2005, he was released by San Diego. 
• On October 11, 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Kansas City Royals.
• On March 31, 2006, he was traded by K.C. to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a minor league player.
• On January 8, 2008, Wilson was purchased by the KIA Tigers (Korean League) from Los Angeles. 
• Later that season, he played for the Yakult Swallows in Japan. 
• In December of 2008, he was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a free agent. 
• On May 26, 2009, he was purchased by the New York Mets from Cleveland.
• On October 27, 2009, Valdez was granted his free agency and shortly thereafter (November 25, 2009) signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Wilson’s minor league stops read like a road-map as he’s made stops in Vermont, Cape Fear, Clinton, Jupiter, Portland, Albuquerque, Carolina, Charlotte, Tacoma, Las Vegas, Columbus and Buffalo.  Wilson Valdez has gone through a significant amount of luggage.

Valdez was particularly invaluable during the 2010 season as his versatility contributed greatly to the success of the team. When Chase Utley went down with an injury, Valdez filled in capably. When Jimmy Rollins was sidelined, there was Wilson filling in at short. When Polanco went out briefly, there was Valdez at third.

Heck, he can play the outfield, too, and as the Reds discovered, outside of Troy Tulowitzki, there probably isn’t a stronger arm belonging to any National League infielder.