Turnpike Series

Watching Larsen's Perfect Game Brings Back Other Memories

The new MLB Network has only been on the air for just under 18 hours and it has already become my favorite network. Last evening they rebroadcast Don Larsen's perfect game. Watching it reminded me how rich the history of baseball is and then how much history I had seen in my 36 years. Then I thought about how that history continues to grow.

2008 was a year of history for my favorite team the Philadelphia Phillies. The players of this team will be held in the same esteem as those that played for the 1980 team. 28 years from now players like Joe Blanton, J.C. Romero, and Greg Dobbs will be remembered like Marty Bystrom, Ron Reed, and Del Unser. Chris Coste will always be a part of Phillies lure while stars like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels will be remembered like Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, and Steve Carlton.

Then there is Brad Lidge. Lidge and Tug McGraw will be forever intertwined as they each struck out the final batters to win the World Series. They will be on the cover of any Phillies publication that refers to the team's history.

Baseball is part of the fabric of our lives. Whether you remember Jim Bunning's perfect fathers day in 1964 at Shea Stadium, Dick Sisler's homerun for the Whiz Kids, or Al Holland jumping into Mike Schmidt's arms after winning the 1983 pennant, you are a part of baseball's rich and glorious history. Share a story from your generation with someone of the next. These are the stories that are told from generation to generation.

I want to thank the new MLB Network as I was glad to get to witness a part of my fathers generation of history and now make viewing it a part of my baseball lure.

For full coverage of the rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, be sure to check out Phightin' Phils Phorum and Mr Mets Daily.

Turnpike Series Phlashback: June 11, 1985

I remember it like it was yesterday, June 11, 1985, Veteran's Stadium. The New York Mets were in town to fight the struggling Philadelphia Phillies. I was in my seat, 318: Row 1 seat 4 and in my short 13 years had never seen the Phillies really struggle like this before as the team was 20-34 going into the game. The New York Mets, who had been baseball's doormat for all of my life that I could remember, emerged as a contender as the team built itself with players like Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and George Foster around two young players named Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden.

The Phillies had just been to the World Series in 1983 and after dumping many of the veteran players from that year like Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Tony Perez as well as Pete Rose, they remained competitive in the pennant race through August of 1984 before giving way to the Cubs. 1985 was to be the year where the next core of young players came up and joined future Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton to build the Phillies next dynasty. This was not to be as John Russell, Charles Hudson, Darren Daulton, Juan Samuel, Jeff Stone, Kevin Gross and company were just not ready to play at that high of a level.

I remember being frustrated. I also learned to boo that year. I was there when Mike Schmidt wore the infamous wig as he had the worst slump of his great career. I also learned what New York Mets fans were all about. They started coming out of the woodwork and to our stadium to support their team. My first impression was that they were loud and obnoxious and I immediately disliked them. June 11th was when all of the Phillies and their fans got their frustrations out.

Charles Hudson was the starter for the Phillies while the Mets countered with Tom Gordon. Manager John Felske decided to shake the Phillies lineup up and moved Von Hayes from the three spot in the lineup and have him lead off while Juan Samuel moved to the third spot. The move worked as Hayes led off the game with a homerun giving the Phillies a fast lead. Gorman went on to only record one out while allowing 6 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks before he was relieved by Calvin Shiraldi. Shiraldi did worse and still in the first inning he faced Von Hayes again with the bases loaded. Hayes hit a grand slam and the Phillies closed out the first inning with a 9-0 lead.

His outing ended in the second inning as he pitched 1.1 innings giving up 10 runs on 10 hits. Doug Sisk came on to finish the second inning and it was 16-0 Phillies. Sisk had the best outing of any Mets pitcher that day giving up only 2 earned runs and he pitched a scoreless inning in both the third and fourth.

Then came Joe Sambito and the Phillies bats returned as he gave up 10 more runs, 8 earned in 3 innings of work. Jesse Orosco came on to try to end the disaster for the Mets and he gave up 2 additional runs in the eighth inning.

The Phillies won the game 26-7. Von Hayes knocked in 6 runs while Glenn Wilson and the late Bo Diaz knocked in 3 a piece. Rick Schu, Juan Samuel, Mike Schmidt, Garry Maddox, and Greg Gross each knocked in 2 runs, while Steve Jeltz, Luis Agayo, and Charles Hudson each knocked in a single run. Every starting player had an RBI in the game. Amazingly Von Hayes hit the only homeruns of the game.

The Phillies went on to a dismal year while the Mets lost the division to the St Louis Cardinals in the final week of the season. There was not a lot of good that came out of 1985 for Phillies fans, but this is sure one great memory! What are your favorite Phillies Mets memories?

For full coverage of the rivalry between the Philadephia Phillies and New York Mets, be sure to check out Phightin' Phils Phorum and Mr Mets Daily.