Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The magic number is down to two for the Phillies, as they can potentially clinch a playoff berth tonight with Aaron Nola on the mound.
Zack Wheeler made some history of his own, becoming the 96th pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts while opening the game with seven straight strikeouts to set a Phillies record.
Zack Ertz is officially back and poised to make some history himself. He needs just 11 catches to become the Eagles’ all-time leader in receptions.
September 23 has seen some big-time heavyweight fights in Philly, more pitching milestones, and a division championship.
Fight Night
September 23 has seen some big-time heavyweight fights in Philly.
First, in 1926, at the brand-new Sesquicentennial Stadium, more than 120,000 fans braved the pouring rain to see the two premier heavyweights in the world, Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, fight for the heavyweight title.
Tunney pulled off the massive upset by unanimous decision, and the fight helped change the boxing landscape forever. Sports were gaining popularity in the 1920s, and fights like this helped propel professional boxing into the mainstream.
Twenty-six years later, at the same venue—but with a different name, Municipal Stadium—it was another huge heavyweight fight.
Hometown hero and defending champion Jersey Joe Walcott took on undefeated Rocky Marciano.
Marciano was knocked down for the first time in his career in the first round. But he battled back to score a 13th-round knockout and claim the championship.
And here’s the crazy part: Had this been a present-day fight, Marciano would have lost by decision. He was behind on the judges’ scorecards when the knockout came.
Eight months later, Marciano won the rematch, one of his six successful title defenses before retiring with a perfect 49-0 record.
Despite the loss, Marciano called the Walcott fight the toughest fight of his career.
Sesquicentennial Stadium, later Municipal Stadium and eventually better known as JFK Stadium, would go on to become one of Philadelphia’s most iconic sports venues—and it is being honored with a venue induction by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame this November.
300 Club
On this day in 1983, the Phillies beat the Cardinals 6-2.
Steve Carlton pitched eight innings against his former team, giving up two runs while striking out 12.
For Lefty, it was career win No. 300, making him just the 16th player in MLB history to reach the milestone.
The Phillies honored Carlton by giving him a gold ring, with “300” outlined in diamonds.
Trivia – In the modern era (since 1901) which pitchers have played for in Philadelphia and reached the 300 win milestone? (Answer below)
Back on Top
On this day in 2024, the Phillies beat the Cubs 6-2 at Citizens Bank Park.
Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto each homered, while Aaron Nola pitched six innings and struck out seven.
The win clinched the N.L. East for the Phillies for the first time since 2011.
Can Nola bring the clinching magic back to the Bank tonight?
Trivia Answer – Steve Carlton, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Eddie Plank and Lefty Grove all pitched in Philadelphia and achieved 300 wins.
Check back tomorrow for another edition of This Day in Philly Sports History
For more Philly Sports History, tune in every weekday to This Day in Philly Sports History
Stop by the improved Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame YouTube page for more Philly Sports content. Be sure to subscribe.
