This Day in Philly Sports History – April 27

Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

Not the best Philly Sports weekend. The Phillies are a mess, the Sixers were blown out, and the Flyers couldn’t finish the sweep. Joel did return and say what you want about his injury history, the guy is tough. The Eagles hit all their areas of need, so we’ll see if the players pan out. The Flyers will look to finish off the Penguins tonight in Pittsburgh.

On the Verge of Clinching

Dr. J had an immediate impact on the Sixers, his first season coming over from the ABA. On this day in 1977 he scored 22 points, Doug Collins added 23 and The Mayor Steve Mix had 20 as the Sixers beat the Celtics to go up 3 games to 1 on the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. They’d lose the next game before knocking the Celtics out and eventually making the NBA Finals.

Schmidt Spoils Nolan’s No-no

The Phillies traveled to Houston in 1988, and Nolan Ryan was outstanding. He held the Phillies hitless through 8 1/3 innings before Mike Schmidt spoiled the no-hitter with a one out single. Lance Parrish then tied the game at 2 with a 2-run double. The Astros eventually walked it off in the bottom of the tenth but Mike Schmidt, who historically struggled against Ryan was able to spoil it.

Trivia – Which pitcher did Mike Schmidt have his highest career batting average against (minimum 40 at-bats) (Answer Below)

Staying Alive

The Flyers avoided being eliminated and forced a winner take all Game 7 in Pittsburgh with a 6-2 win over the Penguins at the Spectrum. Tim Kerr and Derrick Smith scored 2 goals each and Mark Howe added 3 assists. The Flyers would be the Pens in Game 7 setting up a matchup with the Canadiens in the Wales Conference Finals.

Sending the Vet out in Style

Ricky Ledee hit a first inning homerun which was the only run scored in the Phillies game against the Giants at the Vet. Kevin Milwood, who had been solid in his first year with the Phillies, was outstanding on this day. He threw 108 pitches, walked 3 while striking out 10 and not allowing a single hit to the Giants that day. It was the second no-hitter in the Vet’s history. Ledee also caught the final out to clinch it for Milwood.

Trivia Answer – Rick Reuschel. In 129 career at-bats Schmidt hit .403 with 7 homers and 26 RBI.

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