Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Cristopher Sanchez made history yesterday in San Diego extending his scoreless innings streak to 44 2/3 innings setting a Phillies record. The previous record was set 115 years ago by Grover Cleveland Alexander. May 28 was an important day for Mike Schmidt, the Flyers, and the Sixers.
Trivia – Who currently holds the Major Leage record for consecutive scoreless innings and what is the record? (Answer Below)
The Ultimate Slump Buster
Coming into the Phillies game against the Expos in 1983 Mike Schmidt had gone 0 for his last 18 at-bats. He started the game 0-4 striking out all four times each time on three pitches. As fate would have it, Mike stepped up in the bottom of the 9th inning with game tied, two outs, and Bob Dernier on base. The very first pitch he saw from pitcher Jeff Reardon went to deep left field for the game winning walk off homerun. Baseball am I right?
Mixed Bag in the Stanley Cup
After taking Game 1 of the 1985 Stanley Cup Finals the Flyers lost their third straight to the Oilers 5-3, digging a three games to one hole. The Oilers scored four power play goals including two by the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. Pelle Lindburgh had a rough go being pulled after allowing four goals. The Oilers would hoist the Cup after winning Game 5.
Two years later the Flyers were able to exact some measure of revenge on Edmonton. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period at the Spectrum, Lindsay Carson, Brian Propp, and J.J. Daigneault all scored and Ron Hextall settled down to save 30 shots. The win forced a winner-take-all Game 7 in Edmonton.
The Last Dance
The Phillies extended their losing streak to five after losing to the Padres 8-5 on this day to the Padres in San Diego. Mike Schmidt went 0-3 with two walks in what would turn out to be his final game as a Phillie. Schmidt announced his retirement the next day. Things didn’t get any better for the Phillies as the losing streak would eventually extend to 11 games.
Welcome Back A.I.
After missing Game 3 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals with a hip joint and tailbone contusion, Allen Iverson returned for Game 4 against the Bucks. Down two games to one and needing the win Iverson turned in a gutsy, not so pretty performance. Iverson struggled from the field shooting 31% and missed all five 3-point shots he took. He did grab five boards, dished out eight assists, had two steals – and led all scorers with 28 points. A.I.’s heroic performance helped to even the series at two games apiece, shifting the series back to Philly for Game 5.
Trivia Answer – Orel Hershiser pitched 59 consecutive scoreless innings during the 1988 season.
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