Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Aaron Nola could be broken. The Phillies have a lot of things to figure out before the trade deadline. They’re back at it tonight at CBP. NBA Free Agency gets under way today but don’t expect much from the Sixers. June 30 has seen some Phillies milestones, a Flyers blockbuster and some eh Sixers moves.
Moving Across Town
The Phillies lost to the Giants on this day in 1938 14-1. It was the last game played at the Baker Bowl. It had no lights, it was deteriorating, posed safety risks for fans and the Phillies had a horrible lease. They moved to Shibe Park where they shared the stadium with the A’s until they moved to Kansas City.
Cookie Rojas – Ultimate Utility Man
The Phillies split a double-header with the Giants on this day in 1967. They won game 1 10-3 with Johnny Callison hitting 3 doubles. In game 2 Juan Marichal dominated the Phillies, pitching a complete game helping the Giants win 12-3. It got so bad that Gene Mauch put in Cookie Rojas to pitch the top of the 9th. He gave up a hit but no runs. Rojas became the first and only Phillies player to play all nine positions during his tenure with the team.
Flyers Land Big E
Eric Lindros was drafted #1 overall by the Quebec Nordiques. Lindros didn’t want to play for them and sat out the entire 91-92 season. As the 1992 draft approached, Quebec general manager, Marcell Abut panicked, wanting to get something for Lindros. In his haste he made a deal with both the Flyers and Rangers. Both teams thought they had a legitimate claim to Lindros. The situation went to arbitration. The arbitrator checked phone logs, scraps of paper, and fax records. When the dust settled the arbitrator ruled on this day in 1992 that the Flyers had a deal in place 80 minutes before the Rangers and the blockbuster trade was approved. The Flyers received Lindros and the Nordiques received Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Mike Ricci, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, two first round picks and $15 million cash.
With the Second Pick…
The Sixers held the 2nd pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and needed a lot of help. Owner Harold Katz and GM Jim Lynam loved Shawn Bradley and felt his size would be good for the Sixers. They felt he was going to be a perennial all-star and drafted him. Two and a half years later he was traded to the Nets. He had a decent 12-year career but never became the player that Lynam and Katz thought. Some all-star players that the Sixers passed in the first round included Penny Hardaway, Jamal Mashburn, Allen Houston, Sam Cassell and Vin Baker.
What Was He Thinking
June 30, 2019, turned out to not be one of Elton Brand’s best days as Sixers GM In three separate moves, he completely changed the complexion of the Sixers team and not for the best. First, he gave Tobias Harris a 5-year $180 million max deal. Then he completed a 4-team sign-and-trade, sending Jimmy Butler to the Heat and receiving Josh Richardson. Then with the cap money saved by trading Butler signed Al Horford to a 4-year $109 million deal. The Horford deal may have been the worst fit on the court in Sixers history. I’m not sure the Sixers have fully recovered to this day.
Trivia – Who holds the Phillies record for homeruns in any month? (answer below)
Trivia Answer – Jim Thome (June 2004) and Cy Williams (May 1923) each hit 15 homers.
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