Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Quiet night in Philly sports but the Phillies open a HUGE series this weekend in L.A. May 29 was the very definition of a mixed bag for Philly sports. Moonshots, stolen bases, perfect games, and Stanley Cup games.
Dick Allen Hits One to the Moon
We love Schwarbombs. We loved Mike Schmidt and Ryan Howard. Before them there was Dick Allen. On this day in 1965 the Phillies beat the Cubs 4-2 at Connie Mack Stadium. Dick Allen hit an absolute bomb in the first inning to left center that went over the roof, over the Coca-Cola billboard on the roof and out towards Somerset St. The shot was estimated to be 529 feet.
The Secretary Of Defense Ties a Record
The Phillies beat the Pirates in 1978 4-3 at The Vet when Richie Hebner knocked Bud Harrelson in the bottom of the 14th to walk it off. Garry Maddox tied Sherry Magee’s club record for steals in a game with four.
The GOAT Hangs Up His Cleats
Mike Schmidt abruptly announced his retirement on this day prior to the Phillies game in San Diego in 1989. Citing an inability to play to his own standards, the kid from Dayton, Ohio with two bad knees and a dream of becoming a baseball player called it a career. Schmidt left as the greatest third baseman of all time.
Goaltending Optional
The Flyers kicked off the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with a wild one in Chicago. The Flyers and Blackhawks combined for ten goals through the first two periods. Starter Michael Leighton was pulled but unfortunately for the Flyers, the Blackhawks scored the only goal in the third period to hold on for a 6-5 win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Meanwhile in Miami
Meanwhile in Miami the Phillies were taking on the Marlins. Roy Halladay was on the mound for the Phillies doing Roy Halladay things. Twenty-seven batters up and twenty-seven batters down, Roy was perfect. It was the second perfect game in Phillies history, joining Jim Bunning. Halladay through 115 pitches striking out eleven. It was the 20th perfect game in MLB history and the second of the 2010 season. The Phillies only managed one unearned run, but it was enough for the 1-0 win.
Trivia – Carlos Ruiz was catching for Halladay that day. He is tied for the MLB record for no-hitters caught. How many has he been a part of? (Answer Below)
Sixers Take Commanding Lead
In 2021 the Sixers took a commanding 3 games to none lead in their first round series with the Wizards winning 132-103. Joel Embiid had 36 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals as all the Sixers starters scored double-digits including 5-9 from 3-point range for Danny Green. The Sixers would win it in five games before a disappointing seven game series loss to the Hawks.
Trivia Answer – Roy Halladay (2010 – perfect game), Roy Halladay (2010 post season), Cole Hames/Jake Diekman/Ken Giles/Jonathon Papelbon (2014), and Cole Hamels (2015). He’s tied with Jason Veritek.
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