Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Eagles complete the preseason slate tonight at the Linc against the Bengals. I’m still watching the #2 quarterback spot. The Phillies look to finish off their amazing August with a series win agaisn the Angels. The Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns to Philly this weekend as well.
August 28 is a light day in Philly Sports History however it’s not short on entertainment and amazing feats.
Wise Does it Again
On this day in 1971, the Phillies split a doubleheader against the Giants at Veterans Stadium. They dropped Game 1, 5-2, but Rick Wise made sure they wouldn’t leave the ballpark empty-handed.
In Game 2, Wise singlehandedly led the Phillies to a 7-3 victory. On the mound, he pitched a complete game, striking out 11. At the plate, he went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI—including a grand slam.
It was the second time that season Wise had hit two home runs in a game. The first came earlier in the year—when he also happened to throw a no-hitter. Those two two-homer games tied a Major League record for pitchers.
Wise continued his magical 1971 season, finishing with 17 wins and a no-hitter. And what did the Phillies do with him after the season? They traded him to the Cardinals.
Tommy vs. The Phanatic
On this day in 1988, the Phillies were shut out by the Dodgers 5-0 at the Vet. During the break between the top and bottom of the sixth inning, the Phanatic was up to his usual antics. He loved messing with Norristown native Tommy Lasorda. This time, he brought out a Lasorda doll that included an oversized belly, poking fun at Lasorda’s much-publicized weight-loss journey.
Tommy wasn’t having it today, though. He charged out of the dugout, moved the Phanatic’s ATV, tackled him, stole the doll, and hit the Phanatic with it.
For most of my life, I thought this was just part of the staged fun during a dismal season. Come to find out, in interviews after the fact, Lasorda’s reaction was 100% real.
Lasorda was very protective of the Dodgers uniform, saying that he’d only worn three uniforms—the Boy Scouts, the Army, and the Dodgers—and all three were sacred to him.
Knowing how Dave Raymond, the Phanatic’s best friend, was, Lasorda hid all of the extra jerseys in the clubhouse.
Raymond, a 2026 Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, was resourceful. He bought a generic jersey and stitched on the Lasorda nameplate.
This made Lasorda even angrier.
During the scuffle, Raymond was worried that the Phanatic’s head was going to fall off.
The story has a happy ending, sort of. Raymond and Lasorda eventually made up and became friends. Tommy was able to separate Dave from the Phanatic but never warmed up to him, saying, “Dave, I love you, but I hate the Phanatic.”
History is Made
On this day in 2008, the Cubs and the Phillies made MLB history at Wrigley Field. They played in the first MLB game in which video replay was available to the umpires.
Why the Phillies and Cubs? Luck of the draw and geography.
August 28 was the date chosen to implement the replay system, and the Phillies vs. Cubs was one of three games on the schedule and the easternmost time zone. The replay system was used to review home runs, fair/foul balls, and fan interference. It would go live in all stadiums the following night.
On the field, the Cubs beat the Phillies 6-4, but the replay system was not used.
Schwarbombs Galore
On this day in 2025, the Phillies fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first against the Braves. They responded in a big way, scoring five runs in the bottom half of the inning thanks in part to a Kyle Schwarber home run.
Kyle would add another homer in the fourth, then another in the fifth, and yet another in the seventh.
He actually had a chance to hit a fifth, but he flew out against infielder Vidal Bruján.
By hitting four home runs, Schwarber joined an elite club, becoming just the 21st player in MLB history to accomplish the feat. He also joined Mike Schmidt, Chuck Klein, and Ed Delahanty as the only Phillies players to hit four home runs in a game.
Schwarber’s nine RBI also set a Phillies team record.
After the game, Schwarber made a cameo on Abbott Elementary, which was shooting on location at the ballpark.
Kyle always seems to shine in the biggest moments.
Trivia – If you’re going to the ballpark, which feat do you have the best chance of seeing? A perfect game, an unassisted triple play or a player hit four homeruns in a game. (Answer below)
Trivia Answer – A perfect game. In MLB history there have been 24 perfect games, 21 players to hit four homeruns in a game and only 15 unassisted triple plays. We have seen all three in Philly in the past 17 years.
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