Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Phillies got back in the win column with a 3-0 win over the Padres last night. The pitching has been great but the bats not so much. May 26 was turning point day for the A’s, Sixers and Flyers.
Klein Does it Again
The Phillies lost to the Cardinals 5-4 in 14 innings on this day in 1933. Chuck Klein went 4-6 with two RBI, hitting a single, double, triple, and homer. It was the second time in her career that that he hit for the cycle. He is the only Phillie to do it twice. Klein would win the Triple Crown in 1933.
Trivia – Which Phillies have joined Klein in hitting for the cycle? (Answer Below)
Wheels in Motion
In 1950 there was a power struggle in the A’s front office. Connie Mack Jr. (son from Connie’s second marriage) wanted the team to modernize it’s scouting and farm system. Earle and Roy (sons from Connie’s first marriage) wanted to keep status quo. Connie Jr., who was backed by the Shibe’s who were the minority owners, made some wholesale changes. Mickey Cochrane was named the GM, replacing Connie Sr. Jimmy Dykes was named assistant manager of the team replacing Earle Mack. This led the senior brothers to buy out Connie Jr. and his group – using Shibe Park as collateral. They were never able to pay the money back. So on this day in 1950 the wheels were set in motion for the A’s to leave Philly a few years later.
BasketBrawl
The Sixers beat the Blazers 107-89 to go two games to none in the 1977 NBA Finals. With just under five minutes left Darryl Dawkins and Bob Gross wrestled for a rebound. A frustrated Dawkins threw a punch toward Gross that ended up hitting teammate Doug Collins, who ended up need stitches. Dawkins and Maurice Lucas ended up squaring up leading to a bench clearing brawl. The brawl fired up the Blazers who would win the next four games to win the championship.
Flyers Stay Alive
The Flyers staved off elimination, beating the Oilers 4-3 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Rick Tocchett scored twice and Pelle Eklund had two assists. Ron Hextall, on his way to the Conn Smythe, saved 31 shots. The win forced a do or die game 6 in Philly.
The GOAT Honored
The Phillies lost to the Braves 12-3 at the Vet on this day in 1990 in front of almost 57,000 fans. The game was inconsequential though as the fans were there to honor the GOAT. Mike Schmidt’s #20 was retired in a pre-game ceremony. The Phillies game Mike and his family a trip around the world and a gold and diamond #20 pin. The Braves also got into the act gifting Mike a 5-year supply of golf balls.
Flyers Move On
The Flyers completed a sweep of the Rangers in the 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-1 win in Game 4. Karl Dykhuis scored twice and Ron Hextall saved 31 shots. The win set up a matchup with the Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals, which the Devils would win four games to two.
Trivia Answer – Lave Cross (1894), Sam Thompson (1894), Cy Williams (1927), Chuck Klein (1931, 1933), Johnny Calison (1963), Gregg Jefferies (1995), David Bell (2004), J.T. Realmuto (2023), and Weston Wilson (2024)
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