This Day in Phillies History: December 9

We start off this day in Phillies history in 1997. Philadelphia Phillies president David Montgomery fired General Manager Lee Thomas and promoted assistant GM Ed Wade to acting GM. 

This move was a crucial one in Phillies history, as Wade has long been considered the "architect" of the 2008 champion Phillies. And upon taking a look at his resume, you can see why. 

Wade drafted and signed Brett Myers, Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Ryan Madson; promoted Jimmy Rollins to the majors; internationally signed catcher Carlos Ruiz; selected Shane Victorino from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2004 Rule 5 draft; and finally, hired manager Charlie Manuel all during his tenure.

Even when Wade was named the GM of the Houston Astros in 2007, he was still helping the Phillies out, trading Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies in Nov. 2007 in exchange for Michael Bourn, Mike Costanzo, and Geoff Geary. Thanks, Ed!

On this day in 2019, the Phillies signed free agent pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million deal. Wheeler has lived up to the contract since, pitching well in 2020, and having a career-year in 2021.

Wheeler finished as the NL Cy Young Award runner-up to Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes this past season. Wheeler finished 2021 at 14-10, with a 2.78 ERA and 247 strikeouts in 213.1 innings pitched. The pick up is by far one of the best of former GM Matt Klentak's tenure.

Lastly, former Phillies second baseman Juan Samuel was born on this day in 1960. Samuel was a Silver Slugger and three-time All-Star, spending seven of his 16 MLB seasons with Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Phillies Wall of Fame. Happy 61st birthday, Juan!

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

• What it Means to be a Phillies Fan
• With Knebel, Have the Phillies Found Their Closer?
• With the Lockout, Where Do the Phillies Go From Here?