Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The Flyers are officially hot, winning their third straight game last night! Rookie Cole Knuble scored his first two NHL goals to lead the way. The Sixers welcome LeBron James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight for their home opener.
October 22 has seen an epic celebration, the Eagles exorcising some demons, and the birth of a World Series legend.
Celebration
On this day in 1980, just one day after winning their first World Series championship, the Phillies returned home to a hero’s welcome. Nearly one million fans turned out to celebrate as the team paraded down Broad Street, culminating in a rally at JFK Stadium. Philadelphia had waited generations for this moment, and the city came together to celebrate its new champions.
Finally
On this day in 2001, the Eagles and Giants met on Monday Night Football, with the Eagles looking to snap a nine-game losing streak against their division rival. Trailing 9-3 with six minutes remaining, the offense was struggling to get anything going. But the defense came up big, forcing a short Giants punt that gave the Eagles the ball at New York’s 40-yard line.
Donovan McNabb connected with James Thrash for an 18-yard touchdown, and David Akers’ extra point gave the Eagles a 10-9 lead. They were on the brink of ending the streak, but the defense still had work to do. On the Giants’ next possession, Jeremiah Trotter sacked Kerry Collins and forced a fumble that Brandon Whiting recovered.
The Eagles had finally slain the dragon. The win helped shift the momentum in the rivalry, improved their record to 3-2, and sparked an 8-3 run to finish the regular season and capture the NFC East title.
Heartbreaker
On this day in 2006, Donovan McNabb threw three interceptions, including two pick-sixes by Ronde Barber. Despite the turnovers, McNabb battled back and threw three touchdown passes, the last a 52-yarder to Brian Westbrook with just 33 seconds remaining.
Unfortunately, the Eagles’ kickoff team and defense couldn’t close it out. Tampa Bay moved into position for a long field-goal attempt, and Matt Bryant came on to try a 62-yarder for the win. That might seem like a very makeable kick today, but in 2006, the NFL record was still 63 yards.
Bryant drilled it, handing the Buccaneers a stunning 23-21 victory.
What a Debut
On this day in 2008 the Phillies and Rays were set to play Game 1 of the World Series in Tropicana Field. Chase Utley hit a 2-run homer in his first World Seires at-bat. Cole Hamels pitched 7 strong innings to pick up his fourth win of the 2008 postseason. Brad Lidge came in to nail down the victory with his sixth save of the postseason as the Phillies win it 3-2 to take a one game to none lead and moving into 3 wins of their second world championship. They did so despite going 0-13 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 men on base.
Trivia – Who holds the Phillies record for postseason victories by a pitcher? (Answer below)
Return of a Fan Favorite
On this day in 2023, Jalen Hurts threw touchdown passes to A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert while adding a rushing touchdown of his own as the Eagles beat the Dolphins 31-17 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The game also marked a long-awaited return to the past. The Eagles wore their classic Kelly Green jerseys for the first time since the 1995 season, bringing back one of the most beloved looks in franchise history. (Unless, of course, you count the 1960 throwback uniforms they wore in 2010!)
Trivia Answer – Cole Hamels had 7 postseason wins in his Phillies career.
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