Changing course

Tired of watching his overpriced, overhyped team of All-Stars and future Hall of Famers languish with a 43-42 record, Phillies general manager Paul Owens fires manager Pat Corrales 40 years ago today, even though Philadelphia is clinging to first place in the National League East.

The move marks the first – and, so far, only – time in major league history in which a first-place team fires its manager in midseason.

While Owens moves into the dugout, the Phillies win 47 of their final 77 games before the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League title.

Alas for the Phillies, they do not fare as well in the 1983 World Series, losing in five games to the Baltimore Orioles.