by Jim Montgomery | May 12, 2026 | This Day in Philly Sports History
Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
It was a much-needed quiet night in Philly sports. The Phillies open up a three-game series in Boston tonight and have a date with former teammate Ranger Suarez on Thursday. May 12 had a little bit of everything. Playoff celebrations and heartbreaks, record setting days and the debut of an ace.
Only the Lord Saves More Than Parent
After splitting both games in Boston, the Flyers returned to the friendly confines of the Spectrum for a pivotal Game 4 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals. Four different Flyers scored and Bernie Parent saved 24 of the 25 shots he saw as the Flyers took 2 games to 1 lead putting them just two wins away from their first Stanley Cup.
Another Record for Schmitty
The Phillies were in Houston to take on the Astros in 1987. Mike Schmidt went 1 for 4 with an RBI and run scored in the Phils 5-2 loss. For Schmidt it was run number 1,366 for his career breaking Ed Delahanty’s career team record.
Trivia – Who are the top five in career runs for the Phillies? (Answer Below)
Abreu Goes Deep…Again
The Phillies lost to the Reds 7-5 at Citizen’s Bank Park on this day in 2005. Bobby Abreu hit a homerun for the fifth consecutive game joining Dick Allen and Mike Schmidt as the only Phillies to do so. He’d eventually be joined by Chase Utley (twice), Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, and Trea Turner. For Abreu it continued a scorching May in which he hit .396, 11 homers, 5 doubles and knocked in 30 runs en route to the National League’s Player of the Month.
An Ace Debuts
Cole Hamels made his much-anticipated debut in Cincinnati on this day in 2006. Cole was solid, pitching five innings, striking out seven and allowing one hit. He did uncharacteristically walk five. He came up short of getting the win, but the Phillies were able to win it 8-4 thanks to homers by Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino and Cole was off to the races.
Werth Steals the Day
Almost 29 years to the day that Pete Rose achieved the stolen base cycle, Jayson Werth did it in 2009. The Phillies beat the Dodgers 5-3. Werth stole second, third and home in the 7th inning. Coupled with another steal in the 4th, Jayson tied the Phillies record for stolen bases in a game. He joined Sherry Magee (twice) and Garry Maddox as the only Phillies to steal four bags in a game.
A Heartbreaker in Toronto
The Sixers had perhaps their best chance to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals during the Joel Embiid era against the Raptors in 2019. Facing a winner take all Game 7 in Toronto the Sixers came up just short when Kawhi Leonard’s 20-footer at the buzzer went in after bouncing off of the rim four times, dashing the hopes of Sixers fans everywhere. Kawhi was a menace all game scoring 41 points. All Sixers starters had double-digits led by Jo’s 21.
Trivia Answer – Mike Schmidt, Ed Delahanty, Jimmy Rollins, Richie Ashburn, and Chuck Klein
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by Jim Montgomery | May 11, 2026 | This Day in Philly Sports History
Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Winter sports season is over in Philly after both the Flyers and Sixers were swept in their second round series. Both teams are heading into crucial offseasons appearing to be headed in polar opposite directions. The Phillies also remain hot. May 11 has seen great individual performances for the Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers.
Rose Steals the Day
Pete Rose signing with the Phillies is what helped put them over the top in 1980. On this day he did his part to beat his former team. After the Phillies dropped the first two games of their three-game set, the Phillies avoided the sweep winning 7-3. In the seventh inning Rose stole three bases – second, third and home – completing the stolen base cycle for the Phillies.
Trivia – Which Phillies have also achieved the stolen base cycle in a game for the team? (Answer Below)
Dr. J Defies Physics
The same day that Rose achieved the stolen base cycle, Dr. J was doing his part to make the highlight reels. The Sixers evened up the NBA Finals against the Lakers at two games apiece, beating the L.A. 105-102 at the Spectrum. Darryl Dawkins led the Sixers with 26. Dr. J added twenty-three include one of the greatest plays in NBA history, Finals or otherwise. Coming down the right side, he drove to the baseline where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was waiting. In mid-air Doc changed direction, went behind the backboard, and sank the reverse layup. To this day, it is one of the greatest moves in NBA history.
Flyers Move On
The Flyers eliminated the Sabres in 1997 after winning Game 5 6-3. Eric Lindros scored two goals and added an assist. Dainius Zubrus also scored twice, and Rod Brind’Amour added three assists. The Flyers were moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals to take on the Rangers in their quest to return the Stanley Cup to Philly.
Rowand Endears Himself to the Fans
Aaron Rowand was traded to the Phillies in November of 2005 as part of the trade that sent Jim Thome to the White Sox. While the move paved the way for Ryan Howard to play first base everyday, Rowand was not exactly a slouch. In 2006 against the Mets Rowand became a legend. With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the first, Rowand chased down a long fly ball, jumped for it, made the catch, and ran face first into the centerfield wall. His face hit an unpadded metal bar on the fence breaking his nose and cheekbone. When asked why he risked injury to make the catch, Rowand said “”For who? My teammates. For what? To win”. If only Ricky Watters had taken notes.
Trivia Answer – Sherry Magee (1906), Pete Rose (1980), and Jayson Werth (2009).
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by Jim Montgomery | May 8, 2026 | This Day in Philly Sports History
Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Rough night for Philly sports. The Flyers are on the brink of elimination after falling to the Hurricanes 4-1 last night. The Sixers look to avoid the same thing tonight. Andew Painter did his best Taijuan Walker impersonation as the Phillies lose 12-1. May 8 has seen it’s fair share of Sixers and Flyers playoff moments. The Sixers need all the good karma they can get tonight.
Sixers Take Control
George McGinnis scored twenty-one points and Doug Collins added twenty as the Sixers beat the Rockets 106-97 to go up 2 games to 1 over the Rockets in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers defense held future Sixer hero Moses Malone to 3-11 shooting. They’d finish the Rockets off in six games setting up the Finals matchup against the Blazers in 1977.
Trivia – What is the Sixers record in NBA Finals series since moving to Philadelphia? (Answer Below)
Barber Goes Off
Another Flyers postseason run and another big moment for Reggie Leach. Leach scored two goals in the Flyers win over the Minnesota North Stars. Bill Barber added two himself and an assist as the Flyers made their fourth Stanley Cup Finals appearance in seven years. For Baber, the 1980 Stanley Cup semifinals belonged to Barber. He tied Leach’s team record for goals in a series with nine, set a new team record for points in a series with twelve and set an NHL record for shorthanded goals in a series with three. Unfortunately the Flyers would lose a controversial series to the Islanders, coming up short of the Cup.
Some Things Never Change
The Phillies played their 20,000th game in franchise history in 2014 and it ended the same way their very first game did, with a loss. This time 12-6 to the Blue Jays. Ryan Howard homered for the Phillies, but it wasn’t enough. Edwin Encarnacion hit two of the Blue Jays’ five homeruns including the 200th of his career. I guess you don’t become the losingest franchise in sport without losing a few games.
Steamrolling to the Postseason
The Sixers won their 8th straight game on this day in 2021 beating the Pistons 118-104. Joel Embiid scored 29 points, Tyrese Maxey 22 and Dwight Howard got 19 off of the bench. Howard is one of those guys that you often forget played in Philly. The Sixers would win 10 of their final 12 games to clinch the number 1 seed in the East. The season started late due to the Covid pandemic.
Hope is Alive?
Much like this year, in the 2022 playoffs the Sixers lost the first two games on the road. They came home and won Game 3 and looked to send the series back to Miami tied at two. James Harden messed around and almost had a triple-double scoring 31 while he added 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Joel had 24 as the Sixers pulled it off 116-108. Is the same thing in the cards this year? Let’s hope.
Trivia Answer – The Sixers are 2-4 in the NBA Finals since moving to Philly. Winning in 1967 and 1983 while losing in 1977, 1980, 1982, and 2001.
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by Jim Montgomery | May 7, 2026 | This Day in Philly Sports History
Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Hard fought loss for the Sixers last night. Four of the five starters played for over forty minutes. No Jo certainly didn’t help but you have to wonder if they had Jared McCain if the outcome would have been different, but at least Josh Harris is under the luxury tax. The Phillies win a gain in dramatic fashion, and the Flyers look to get on the board against the Hurricanes tonight. May 7 saw some Flyers and Sixers postseason magic, the birth of the Linc and one of the greatest press conferences in all of sports history.
We Want Boston
Mo Cheeks scored twenty-six and had six assists, Andrew Toney added seventeen as the Sixers beat the Bucks 102-90 in Game 6 of their 1982 playoff series. The Sixers moved on to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, looking for revenge for the previous year when they blew a 3 games to 1 lead. They’d get it in the famous “Beat LA” series.
Delmore Scores a Hat Trick
Two nights after their 5-OT thriller in Game 4 tied the series, the Flyers returned to the First Union Center for a pivotal Game 5 against the Penguins in the 2000 playoffs. The Flyers jumped out to a 4-0 lead and coasted to a 6-3 win. Mark Recchi had a goal and four assists and rookie defenseman Andy Delmore had a hattrick. Delmore became the first rookie defenseman to have a playoff hattrick. Delmore had a heck of a series scoring five goals in six games. Amazingly he only had one goal in his fourteen other postseason games.
The Linc is Born
Construction on Lincoln Financial Field officially began in this day in 2001. Replacing the loveable dump known as the Vet, the new home of the Eagles coincided with the rise of the Eagles as we know them today. Since opening in 2003 the Eagles are 112-72-1 at the Linc with an 11-5 mark in the playoffs – that includes an impressive 4-1 record in NFC Championship Games.
Trivia – What stadiums have the Eagles called home since they came into the NFL in 1933? (Answer Below)
We’re Talking about Practice
One of the most bizarre, entertaining, and well known press conferences occurred on this day in 2002. After a disappointing first round loss to the Celtics trade questions about Allen Iverson’s future were swirling. Iverson was to come back the next season and was supposed to announce it at a press conference. Also swirling were questions about his work ethic in practice, made public by coach Larry Brown. When asked to clear the air about his practice habits, Allen launched into his diatribe on practice. “We sittin’ in here—I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talkin’ about practice.” Not only was Iverson dealing with the Boston loss, the criticism from Larry Brown and the trade rumors but he was also dealing with the death of his close friend. It made for a perfect storm. To Iverson’s credit he was able to move past the press conference and is still one of the most beloved Sixers of all time.
One Game at a Time
Facing elimination with their backs firmly against the wall the Flyers took on the Bruins at the Wachovia Center down 3-0 in the 2010 playoffs. They got down 1-0 early when Mark Recchi scored. The battled back and led late in the third period when Recchi struck again with thirty-two seconds left to force overtime. Simon Gagne scored the game winner as the Flyers lived to fight another day. Little did we know they were about to make an historic comeback.
Harden with Ice Water in his Veins.
The Sixers were playing the Celtics again in the 2023 playoffs. Down 2 games to 1 the Sixers needed a huge win to send the series back to Boston. They got great performances from both Joel Embiid (34 points & 13 rebounds) and James Harden who almost messed around and had a triple double. Harden had nine assists and eight rebounds to go along with his forty-two points – including the game winning 3-pointer with nineteen seconds left. It wasn’t without drama though as Marcus Smart appeared to hit a three as the buzzer sounded – fortunately, it left his hand after the horn sounded. The Sixers tied the series and shipped off to Boston for Game 5.
Trivia Answer – Baker Bowl (1933-35), Philadelphia Municipal Stadium (1936-1940, 1941), Shibe Park (1940, 1942-1957), Franklin Field (1958-1970), Veterans Stadium (1971-2002), Lincoln Financial Field (2003-Present)
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by Jim Montgomery | May 5, 2026 | This Day in Philly Sports History
Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
A rough night for both the Sixers and Flyers. Nights like last night though are what makes us appreciate the Game 7 win versus Boston or the Flyers eliminating the Penguins that much more. There is still hope in both series because as the old adage goes, a series doesn’t start until the road team wins a game. May 5 has seen Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers heroics as well as an embarrassing Sixers blunder.
Jim Bunning Does it all
The Phillies and Mets matchup in 1965 featured two future Hall of Famers squaring off as Jim Bunning took on Warren Spahn. The duel was exactly what you would expect from the Hall of Famers as both pitched complete games and gave up four hits each. The difference in the game was Bunning who hit a solo homer in the 6th inning to account for the Phillies only run.
Flyers go to the Cup
Gary Dornhoefer scored two goals including the game winner in the 3rd period while Rick MacLeish added a goal of his own and assisted on two others in the Flyers 4-3 win over the Rangers at the Spectrum. The win clinched the Flyers first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1974. In the process they became the first post-1967 expansion team to beat an Original 6 team in a playoff series. The Flyers weren’t done as they’d beat another Original 6 team two weeks later to hoist the Cup.
A.I. Arrives
The Sixers closed out the lockout shortened 1998-99 season with a 105-101 OT win over the Pistons. The win clinched the sixth seed for the Sixers who would open up their first playoff series since 1991 against the Magic. It was also their first winning season since 1991. Allen Iverson dropped thirty-three but had to wait for the Lakers game to see if he’d win the scoring title. Shaquille O’Neal sat out the 4th quarter to give Iverson his first scoring title. He became the shortest player to win the title averaging 26.8 points per game, the lowest total since Paul Arizin won it averaging 25.6 in 1957.
Trivia – Which Sixers have won scoring titles? Bonus – how many and what years? (Answer Below)
Premature Celebration
Trailing the Celtics 89-87 in the final seconds of Game 3 of their 2018 second round matchup, Marco Belinelli hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer. Everyone in Wells Fargo Center thought the Sixers had won including the operations team who released celebratory confetti to mark the Sixers victory. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the shot was inside the 3-point line and didn’t win the game but instead sent it to overtime. In a scene reminiscent of the Palestra’s heyday, the overtime period was delayed for almost ten minutes as the cleanup crew had to clear the confetti. In overtime Sixer killer Al Horford hit a shot with 5.5 seconds left to give the Celtics a 101-98 win and more importantly a three games to none lead in the series. Ooops.
Trivia Answer – Allen Iverson – 4 (1999, 2001, 2002 and 2005) Wilt Chamberlain – 2 (1965 and 1966) Joel Embiid (2022 and 2023)
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