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On this date 53 years ago, the Phillies traded for an unlikely franchise-altering player

You may not have heard of him, but Dave Cash is the man to thank for starting the modern era of winning baseball in Philadelphia.

By Ben Silver · That Balls Outta Here

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 9:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Ben Silver highlights the Phillies' acquisition of Dave Cash 53 years ago as a franchise-altering trade.
Philadelphia acquired Cash from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Ken Brett.
Cash was named an All-Star in all three seasons with Philadelphia and helped build confidence among young players.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Fifty-three years ago, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired second baseman Dave Cash from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Ken Brett. Ben Silver writes that Cash played a pivotal role in changing the culture of a long-struggling franchise, providing veteran leadership and confidence to young stars like Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski with his rallying cry, "Yes, we can!"

During his three seasons in Philadelphia from 1974 to 1976, Cash earned three All-Star selections and hit over .300 twice. His tenure culminated in a 101-win season and the team's first postseason berth in 26 years in 1976, laying the foundation for Philadelphia's 1980 World Series championship.

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On this date 53 years ago, the Phillies traded for an unlikely franchise-altering player

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