Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
An angry Zack Wheeler is a good Zack Wheeler. Snubbed from the All-Star Game, Wheeler responded by tying a career high with 14 strikeouts. Kyle Schwarber also broke out of his mini-slump, launching his 31st home run of the season. Meanwhile, July 8 has given Philadelphia sports fans plenty to remember—from the birth of the Eagles to unique Phillies All-Star moments and some unforgettable extra-inning magic.
Happy Birthday to You
Happy 93rd Birthday to the Philadelphia Eagles! On this day in 1933, Bert Bell and Lud Wray were awarded Philadelphia’s NFL expansion franchise. Bell famously secured the $2,500 franchise fee by borrowing the money from his wife, Broadway actress Frances Upton. As part of the agreement, the new franchise also acquired the remaining assets of Philadelphia’s former NFL team, the Frankford Yellow Jackets. Despite a common misconception, the Eagles are not a continuation of the Yellow Jackets—they are a separate franchise that inherited the team’s remaining assets. Inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s National Recovery Administration’s Blue Eagle symbol, the team adopted the name “Eagles.” They initially wore the Yellow Jackets’ blue and gold colors before taking the field for their inaugural season that fall. Happy Birthday to our Birds!
Trivia – What year did the Eagles officially switch from blue to green uniforms? (Answer below.)
All-Star Fun Part 1
The 1947 MLB All-Star Game was played at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, where the National League entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 2–1 with two outs. With no position players left on the bench, the National League called on Phillies pitcher Schoolboy Rowe to pinch-hit in an attempt to spark a rally. Rowe ultimately flew out to end the game, but in doing so he made history, becoming the first player to appear in an MLB All-Star Game for both the American and National Leagues. The Phillies were well represented in the game, as Emil Verban and Harry Walker both started for the National League.
All-Star Fun Part 2
The 1952 MLB All-Star Game was played at Philly’s Shibe Park, with the Phillies serving as the host team. The Phillies were represented by Curt Simmons, Granny Hamner, and Robin Roberts. Simmons got the start for the National League and tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three batters. Hamner started at shortstop and drew an intentional walk, while Roberts did not appear in the game. Home runs by Jackie Robinson and Hank Sauer powered the National League to a 3–2 victory in a game that was called after five innings because of rain. More than 70 years later, it remains the only MLB All-Star Game to end early due to weather. The game was “completed” 20 years later. Before a Phillies–Astros game at Veterans Stadium in 1972, an old-timers’ game was played to finish the rain-shortened All-Star Game.
Phillies Lend a Helping Hand
On this day in 2009, Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino each homered as the Phillies defeated the Rockies 8–4 in Colorado. The game featured a lengthy rain delay accompanied by powerful winds that made conditions dangerous. As the Rockies’ grounds crew struggled to keep the tarp under control, several members of the Phillies left their dugout to help secure it and protect the crew from being injured. What a great group of guys.
Have Yourself a Day Brad
The Phillies cruised to an 8–0 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field behind a career day from Brad Miller on this day in 2021. Miller homered three times and drove in five of Phillies eight runs.
10th Inning Magic
In 2011the Phillies and Braves were tied 2–2 after nine innings at Citizens Bank Park, setting the stage for some 10th-inning magic. In the top of the inning, Phillies reliever Juan Perez threw an immaculate inning, retiring all three batters on just nine pitches—all strikes. Then, in the bottom of the 10th, Raúl Ibañez blasted a walk-off home run to give the Phillies a 3–2 victory, capping one of the most memorable extra innings in franchise history.
Trivia Answer – The Eagles introduced their Kelly Green jerseys in 1935 alternating with the blues. In 1937 they exclusively wore the Kelly Green until 1996.
Check back tomorrow for another edition of This Day in Philly Sports History
For more Philly Sports History tune in every weekday to This Day in Philly Sports History
Stop by the improved Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame YouTube page for more Philly Sports content. Be sure to subscribe.
