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This Day in Philly Sports History – September 15

Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

The Phillies begin their final playoff push over the next 13 days. Mathematically, the division is still in play, but it starts tonight.

The Eagles’ offensive line depth will be tested now with Landon Dickerson landing on IR.

September 15 has seen some playoff-clinching moments, a dominant defensive performance, and a bungle at the end of a game.

3-Peat

On this day in 1931, the A’s beat Cleveland 14-3 at Shibe Park.

The home crowd watched Connie Mack’s team clinch its third consecutive American League pennant. The A’s had won 107 games and were the two-time defending World Series champions, but they would fall to the Cardinals in the World Series in seven games.

Fo, Fo, Fo

On this day in 1982, the Houston Rockets matched the Sixers’ offer sheet for Moses Malone, paving the way for a trade that would bring the former MVP to Philadelphia.

As part of the sign-and-trade, the Sixers received Moses, while the Rockets received Caldwell Jones and a 1983 first-round pick.

Moses immediately put the Sixers over the top, winning MVP and leading them to the elusive championship they had been chasing.

Rough Day for Troy Aikman

On this day in 1991, Jim McMahon threw two touchdown passes to Fred Barnett and Keith Byars as the Eagles beat the Cowboys 24-0 in Dallas.

The defense was its usual dominant self, sacking Troy Aikman a club-record 11 times, including a team-record 4½ by Clyde Simmons. They also forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, while holding the Cowboys to just 90 total yards.

This game may have been the peak of the Eagles’ dominance over the Cowboys as slowly, things were starting to turn in the rivalry.

Trivia – Clyde Simmons shares the Eagles single sack record with whom? (Answer below)

Snatching Defeat from Jaws of Victory

On this day in 1997, it was the Eagles and Cowboys again in Dallas, this time on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles jumped out to a 17-3 lead thanks to a Ty Detmer touchdown pass to Chad Lewis and a 37-yard fumble return by William Thomas.

The Cowboys would take a 21-20 lead with a minute left.

Detmer then led the Eagles to the Cowboys’ 4-yard line, thanks in part to a 46-yard pass to Freddie Solomon. Former Cowboy Chris Boniol was set up for a chip-shot field goal and an improbable victory.

Unfortunately, holder Tommy Hutton bobbled the snap, costing the Eagles the win.

It was a microcosm of the way the 1997 season went for the Eagles.

Clincher

On this day in 2025, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Weston Wilson all homered as the Phillies beat the Dodgers 6-5 in 10 innings.

After Johan Duran blew a rare save, J.T. Realmuto delivered a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th to give the Phillies the win.

It was their 90th win of the season, clinching their second consecutive NL East title.

Trivia Answer – Hugh Douglas had 4.5 sack against the Chargers in 1998.  Hugh will join Clyde in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame this November.

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