This day in baseball: Philadelphia’s first win
Posted: May 14, 2019 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Stockings, history, Lake Front Park, National League, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Quakers, sports Leave a commentThe Philadelphia Quakers (later known as the Phillies) won their first game in franchise history on May 14, 1883 again the Chicago White Stockings (later known as the Cubs). The Quakers had lost their first eight games of the season, but then proceeded to pound the White Stockings 12-0 at Chicago’s Lake Front Park. The Quakers would finish the season with a depressing 17-81 (.173) record, putting them in last place in the National League.
Lake Front Park (projectballpark.org)
“Be A Believer in Giant/Dodger/Philly Fever,” The Paid Attendance
Posted: April 8, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, Pop culture | Tags: Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, MLB, music, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, sports, The Paid Attendance Leave a commentI came across these somewhat randomly this weekend: three songs by a group called The Paid Attendance. So far as I have been able to tell, these are the only three songs by this group, and I have only been able to find audio for two of them. That being said, I suppose it’s not really a big deal that I cannot find audio for the third, as it would likely just fall in line with the other two songs. First off, here’s “Be A Believer in Giant Fever,” released in 1978.
The group must have had a thing for New-York-teams-gone-California, because in 1979, they put one out for the Dodgers.
The third song, for which I have not been able to find audio online, appears to be the same song with a Philly twist: “Be A Believer in Philly Fever.”
I am curious as to whether the original intention was to put out a version for each team in the majors. If so, they didn’t get very far into the process. Whatever the intention, I did find the Giants and Dodgers versions fun to listen to. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to do a little jig while you brush your teeth in the morning.
Backwards bases
Posted: March 11, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Dallas Green, Duke Snider, Jimmy Piersall, Major League Baseball, MLB, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, sports 3 CommentsOn June 23, 1963, Mets outfielder Jimmy Piersall faced Phillies pitcher Dallas Green to lead off the top of the fifth. Piersall swung on Green’s offering and blasted what was career homer number 100.
To celebrate the milestone, Piersall then decided to take Duke Snider up on his clubhouse bet and ran around the bases backward. He completed his trip around the bases in the correct order: first, second, third, and home — he just faced backwards. Piersall essentially backpedaled all the way around the infield.
complex.com
This day in baseball: Cox buys the Phillies
Posted: February 18, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, history, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Major League Baseball, MLB, National League, Philadelphia Phillies, sports, William D. Cox Leave a commentAfter the bankrupt team had been taken over by the National League, William D. Cox purchased the Philadelphia Phillies from the NL on February 18, 1943. At the age of 33, this made Cox the youngest owner in the league. However, evidence surfaced later that year that Cox had placed some bets on his own team. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis launched an investigation, and Cox eventually admitted to making some “sentimental” bets on the Phillies. Landis responded by banning Cox from baseball on November 23, 1943.
Shibe Park (Wikipedia)
This day in baseball
Posted: October 9, 2018 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Chicago White Stockings, history, Jack Manning, Major League Baseball, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Quakers, sports 2 CommentsOn October 9, 1894, Jack Manning of the Philadelphia Quakers (Phillies) became the first player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a single game. The outfielder accomplished the feat in an 11-7 loss to the White Stockings at Chicago’s Lake Front Park.
Jack Manning (Wikipedia)
This day in baseball: High-hit shutout
Posted: August 12, 2018 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Boston, George Smith, history, Major League Baseball, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, sports 3 CommentsIn the second game of a doubleheader on August 12, 1921, the Phillies’ right-handed pitcher George Smith gave up 12 hits, and yet he still managed to pitch a shutout against the Boston Braves, winning 4-0. Smith had also started the first game of the doubleheader, but in that game, he gave up three runs on four hits and was taken out in the second inning.
Baseball Reference
This day in baseball: Inside-the-park x3
Posted: July 12, 2018 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baker Bowl, Baseball, history, Jack Taylor, Louisville Colonels, Philadelphia Phillies, sports, Tom McCreery Leave a commentOn July 12, 1897, Louisville outfielder Tom McCreery hit three home runs off Philadelphia right-hander Jack Taylor. The three four-baggers provided the difference in the Colonels’ 10-7 victory over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Each of the outfielder’s round-trippers were inside-the-park home runs, which makes me wonder about Philadelphia’s defense.
Tom McCreery (Wikipedia)
