Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies did it again last night in D.C., winning it in the 9th when they were down to their final strike twice. They look to take the series tonight with Sanchez on the mound. Curacao and Ivory Coast play tonight at the Linc with both teams in the mix to move on. The U.S. takes on Turkey tonight. June 25 saw some unique Phillies moments and a tragic death for the Eagles.
Swing and a Long Drive
The Vet opened in 1971. On June 25 the Phillies were demolished by the Pirates 14-4. Deron Johnson and Willie Montanez both hit 2-run homers for the Phillies but it was a different homer that we all remember. The Pirates hit 5 on the day but it was one in the 2nd inning by Willie Stargell that lived for the life of the Vet. Stargell went deep to right hitting the ball above the exit sign in section 601. The Phillies commemorated the blast first with a wooden plaque – that was stolen twice – then with a painted black S inside a yellow star surrounded by a white circle. When Stargell passed away they painted the circle black. The homer was the longest ever hit at the Vet.
Bring it Home for Jerome
On this day in 1992 Jerome Brown and his nephew tragically died in a car accident in his hometown of Brooksville, Florida. Reggie White announced his death at a Billy Graham event at the Vet, stunning the crowd. During his 5-year career Brown had 29.5 sacks and 10 fumble recoveries. The Eagles retired his #99. One of the biggest what ifs in Philly Sports history is what would’ve happened if he didn’t pass away. I had met him a few months earlier at a card show and Jerome was pumped for the 92 season.
The Home Team is Away
Due to the G20 Summit in Toronto, Major League Baseball decided to move the Phillies 2010 series scheduled for to be played in Toronto to Philly as a precautionary measure. The Blue Jays were the home team and took the tickets sales – a win for them considering the Phillies were in the middle of their home sellout streak. The Phillies kept the concession sales. It was the first time a DH was used at Citizens Bank Park, Ryan Howard getting the honor for game one on June 25. Roy Halladay was scheduled to pitch for the first time in Toronto since being traded that offseason. Instead he pitched in front of his home fans. He went 7 shutout innings. Shane Victorino homered and Ross Gload knocked in 4 runs. The Phillies won 9-0 and ended up taking 2 of 3 as the visitors at home. They did use their home locker room and dugout.
Nola on Fire
On this day in 2021 the Phillies and Mets split a doubleheader with each team winning 2-1 in extra innings in NY. In game one Aaron Nola allowed the first two batters to reach then struck out 10 consecutive Mets, tying an MLB record. He also doubled in the Phillies only run of the game – off of his future teammate Taijuan Walker. The Phillies would lose it in 8 innings. In game two Bryce Harper homered and Odubel Herrera knocked in the game winning run in the 8th to give the Phillies the 2-1 win. The games were played under Covid rules where doubleheaders were only 7 inning games.
Trivia – Two other pitchers have struck out 10 consecutive batters in a game. Who are they?
Trivia Answer – Tom Seaver in 1970 and Corbin Burnes later in the 2021 season.
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