Jack Phillips

Who was Jack Phillips?

Jack Dorn Phillips [Stretch] was a backup first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between the 1947 and 1957 seasons. Listed at 6 ft 4 in, 193 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Clarence, New York, Phillips graduated from Lancaster High School in 1939, Clarkson University in 1943, and served in the US Navy during World War II.

Phillips entered the majors in 1947 with the New York Yankees, playing for them two and half years joining the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. His most productive season came in 1956 with the Tigers, when he posted career numbers in home runs, runs scored and runs batted in, while hitting a .293 average in 69 games.

The highlight of Phillips’ career was his Ultimate Grand Slam home run. Phillips is one of just 23 players in major league history to accomplish the feat, joining the likes of Hall of Famers Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, Roger Connor, Mickey Mantle and Carlton Fisk, as well as All-Stars Tommy Henrich, Bobby Thomson, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz, between others. Nevertheless, Phillips remains the only player in major league history to accomplish this feat as a pinch hitter, as he was actually going to enter the game as a relief pitcher in the following inning if necessary.