Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The bullpen faltered as the Phillies lost to the Mets 6-4 last night. They’re off today due to the Brazil vs. Haiti World Cup match. The U.S. plays their second game this afternoon in Seattle. June 19 saw some long Phillies games and the Sixers drafting one of their greatest players ever.
Iron Man
On this day in 1927 the Phillies split a double header with the Reds. Taking game one 3-1 and losing game 2 3-0. On the mound that day for the Phillies was Jack Scott. That was it. Scott pitched a complete game in both ends of the double header, the last MLB player to do it. I can guarantee that no one will ever achieve the feat again. Scott only pitched one season for the Phillies, going 9-21 with a 5.09 ERA.
Pitcher’s Duel
The Phillies and Cubs played a double header at Wrigley in 1955. The first game was scoreless going into the 15th inning when Puddin Head Jones knocked in Marv Blaylock. The Phillies won it 1-0, it is their longest 1-0 victory in franchise history. Game 2 started after 5:30 and with Wrigley not having lights, it was a race against the sun. As fate would have it, this game had more offense. The Phillies trailed 8-4 heading into the 7th. They would score three runs, but the game was called due to darkness giving the Phillies the 8-7 loss.
Bowa Steals Two
In 1971 the Phillies and Mets were involved in yet another long game at Shea Stadium. With the score tied at four after six innings, neither team scored until the 14th inning. Larry Bowa and Oscar Gamble tried a double steal. Bowa got to third safely, but Gamble was caught in a run down. Bowa made a heads up play and bolted home, reaching safely giving the Phillies the lead and Bowa getting credit for two stolen bases on one play. The Mets would tie it and ultimately win it with a walk off homer in the 15th. Perhaps you remember the most infamous two stolen bases on one play in Phillies history? Johnny Damon stole second and with no one covering the bag stole third in the top of the ninth of a tied Game 4. It opened the flood gates as the Phillies lost 7-4.
With the 5th Pick of the 1984 NBA Draft
The Sixers were expected to take Charles Barkley with the 5th pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. Harold Katz had told Barkley to get his weight to 285 or less, which he did. Also, prior to the draft the Sixers were in salary cap trouble and word got to Barkley that they were only going to offer him a 1-year $75,000 contract. Barkley said I am not leaving Auburn for that. He then tried to sabotage his draft status with the Sixers, going on a 48-hour eating bending. Eating grand slams at Denny’s, cheesy biscuits at Red Lobster and going to steak houses. When he showed up to his pre-draft meeting with the Sixers he weighed 302 pounds. Katz was not happy but drafted Barkley anyway on this day in 1984. Moses Malone famously helped Charles find his ideal playing weight during his rookie year. In the end it worked well as Barkley became one of the all-time greats in Sixers history.
Trivia – The 1984 NBA Draft featured 5 future Hall of Famers. That is tied with the 1996 draft for second most. (1970 has the most with 8). Which players from the 1984 Draft are in the Hall of Fame? (Answer Below)
Trivia Answer – Hakeem Olajuwon (#1), Michael Jordan (#3), Charles Barkley (#5), John Stockton (#16), and Oscar Schmidt (#131).
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