I was born in 1970. I was six when I started to understand what Major League Baseball was. Both grandfathers, my mother, and my father were all Phillies fans. So were two uncles, three aunts, and a great-grandmother who would sit in a broken recliner listening to the games on the radio.
The Phillies were a religion in my house. Games on TV were appointments that were not to be missed.
I knew Channel 17 was dial position 13 on our television in the living room. I remember contemplating why other teams allowed the Phillies to set up a pregame show in their ballpark (the fact that the pregame show was shot in a studio in Philadelphia never occurred to me).
I thought Bob Bradley was a hero, Harry Kalas a god, and Andy Musser was something to be suffered through until it was Richie Ashburn's turn at the mic.
Most of all, I believed the Phillies of Schmidt, Carlton, Bowa, and Boone were the greatest team ever to take the field. The Big Red Machine, Tommy Lasorda's Dodgers, and Papa Stargell's Pirates meant nothing to me.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The American League was the loser league, filled with teams sporting funny-looking uniforms.
The Phillies won the division when I was six, seven, and eight. I cried when they were eliminated in '79. I cried again in 1980 for a different reason. I remember clutching my radio during Game Five of the '81 division series, wishing with all my might that the Phils would erase the 3-0 deficit.
Another World Series in 1983 only served to confirm my hypothesis that the Phillies were the team to root for.
When I was 13 years old, I thought it would always be like this. I thought the Phillies would be perennial division winners and World Series threats. I thought that Steve Carlton would go on striking out hitters, Schmidt would go on hitting home runs, and Gary Maddox would keep on making amazing catches.
How was I to know that, with the exception of 1993, the next 25 years of my life would be filled with baseball misery?
How was I to know that Schmidt would be replaced by Rick Schu and Charlie Hayes? That Carlton would give way to Pat Combs and Bruce Ruffin? That the dugout ruled by men like Danny Ozark, Dallas Green, and Paul Owens would be turned over to the likes of John Felske, Lee Elia, and Nick Leyva.
Yes, I always thought it would be this way. So now, on the eve of the seventh NLCS of my lifetime, I take nothing for granted. I am going to cherish every pitch, every play, and every at-bat. My belief funnel is full again. All is right with the world. (Current bank crisis excluded.)
The ironic thing is that I have an eight-year-old who has watched the Phillies win back-to-back division titles. From the time he started following the club with me at age five, the Phillies have been a pretty good team. He said at dinner tonight, "Don't be sad if the Dodgers beat us. There is always next year."
Boy, oh boy...My son has a lot to learn.
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about 1 month ago
Awesome memories...all that could have taken place in my hose as a kid as well. Thanks, 5 stars
about 1 month ago
I'm 36, and I remember I had a transistor radio that I used to take to bed when the Phils were playing on KYW 1060. They've gotta bring back the the baby blue and maroon unis.
Funny enough with the exception of the Flyers, I'm not feelin' any of the home team's current color schemes.
about 1 month ago
Such an amazing, feel-good article Richard...You have a great memory, something I unfortunately don't possess. I remember going to games at Candlestick park when I was like 6 years old, but I don't remember too many specifics sadly..This article is very well written, and I love the way you end it...You're doing a great job as a Dad I already know, haha. Keep up the good writing throughout the playoffs man.
about 1 month ago
As a Phillies fan growing up in California, I remeber those days like they were yesterday. I became a Phillies fan because I bought a fake Philly plastic batting helmet in 4th grade. From then on, I was a fan. Living in California and being a Philly fan was a little lonely, but, it had its rewards. I was also a Sixer's fan (because of Dr. J of course), so I was used to it. When they won the World Series, it was a big moment for me. In law school, when they lost, it was very costly for me as well. Instead of studying, I was watching and reading about baseball. Oh well, I made it through even though we lost to the Blue Jays. Great memories, thanks for sharing yours.
about 1 month ago
Wonderful piece!
about 1 month ago
Richard,
Great Piece! I love hearing about memories like this! I'm only 19 years old, so I don't know about anything you mentioned, except for the back-to-back division titiles. I was too young to remember 1993 but I still lived through it?! lol
Hey man, keep up the great work!
about 1 month ago
I was enjoying this article until the mention of ...Bruce Ruffin. Yikes! It gave me frightening flashbacks. Uh-oh...Don Carmen. Phil Bradley. I couldn't stop these awful memories! I almost had a stroke recalling...Von Hayes! Von Hayes led the majors in making outs on the bases (caught stealing, picked off, trying to stretch a single, etc.) two years in a row! I saw a game in which he made an out at every base. Was there a dumber player ever? The Phillies asked him to go to winter ball, essentially to learn what he should have learned in eighth grade, and he refused.
It was a fun article to read, but for the love of God, please don't remind me of these guys.
O, Lord! Steve Jeltz!
about 1 month ago
You younger Phillie fans are spoiled.
about 1 month ago
I wish I could remember the Phillies from that era. Thanks for sharing the memories! Go Phillies!
about 1 month ago
LOL! Steve Jeltz, the next Willie Mays.
about 1 month ago
Wow, that was great! You sir, are a true Phillies fan.
about 1 month ago
I thought this article might be good for the kid.......naa..for the kid in all of us!
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