Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
I want to take a minute to wish all military personnel, active or veteran a peaceful Memorial Day. If you have someone in your life that gave the ultimate sacrifice, Thank you. For everyone else while you’re at your cookouts and having fun, remember to reflect on what today truly means. May 25 has seen some wild and controversial moments in Philly Sports History.
The Say Hey Kid Debuts
Willie Mays made his debut in 1951 against the Phillies at Shibe Park. Granny Hamner and Mike Goliat hit homers for the Phillies, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants beat the Phillies 8-5. Philly’s Eddie Stanky went 3-4 with a double and a run scored. Willie went 0-5 but was a thorn in the Phillies side throughout his career, hitting .296 with 61 homers and 196 RBIs in 363 games.
Back in First Place
Charlie Hayes went 2-3, including a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning to put the Phillies on top in their 1990 game against the Braves. Roger McDowell came on in the ninth to save it for the Phillies as they won it 5-4. The win put the Phillies in first place in the NL East for the first time since 1984. It was short-lived as they would lose the next day and never got close to first again.
Going to the Cup
The Flyers beat the Rangers 4-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Rod Brind’Amour scored twice and John LeClair and Eric Lindros each added goals as the Flyers were heading to the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 10 years playing the Detroit Red Wings.
Marathon at the Bank
It took the Phillies 19 innings to beat the Reds 5-4 on this day in 2011 at Citizen’s Bank Park. Ben Francisco and Ryan Howard both homered. The Score was tied at 3 when both teams scored in the 10th inning. The teams would play another full game before Raul Ibanez knocked in Jimmy Rollins with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 19th. Wilson Valdez, who started the game at second base, retired 3 of the 4 batters he faced in the top of the 19th earning the win. He became the first position player since Babe Ruth in 1921 to start a game in the field and get the win on the mound. It was also the longest game as far as innings in Citizen’s Bank Park history.
Trivia – The 19 innings was not the longest game the Phillies have played in. What is the longest game they’ve played in from an innings perspective? (Answer Below)
Trivia Answer – On July 17, 1918, the Phillies lost in Chicago to the Cubs 2-1. The game took 21 innings to complete. Both starting pitchers pitched complete games that day.
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